FREEHOLD, NJ –The Monmouth County Historical Commission is now accepting nominations for its annual preservation awards program that recognizes the people behind local, and often noticed, building preservation projects.

“Residents and business people who do the work to preserve local structures and buildings deserve public praise and recognition,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the County’s Historical Commission. “The Historical Commission has a tradition of finding some historic gems in the community and acknowledging the people who make sure that we continue to remember our past.”

Anyone, including a property owner, may nominate a structure that has historic value and has undergone preservation work that was substantially completed in 2014. The deadline to submit a nomination is April 2, 2015.

Homes, business buildings, houses of worship, public buildings and other Monmouth County structures that are more than 50 years old are eligible for the award.

The nomination process is simple and entails the completion of a one-page application that can be downloaded from the County’s website at www.visitmonmouth.com or by calling 732-431-7460, ext. 7413. Complete entry information is available on the Monmouth County website as well.

Completed applications should be mailed to Monmouth County Historical Commission, Hall of Records Annex, 2nd floor, Freehold, NJ 07728 by April 2, 2015.

“Nominations may be made for a variety of building types,” said John Fabiano, executive director of the County Historical Commission. “Adaptive reuse projects as well as the preservation of private homes are eligible for recognition.”

Last year, projects recognized included the preservation and restoration of two Life Saving Stations in Long Branch, the restoration of a Victorian home in Ocean Grove, the restoration of the 1801 Stone Smokehouse in Freehold and the establishment of a historic museum in the Eden Woolley House in Ocean Township.

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