For Immediate Release:

September 15, 2015

        Awards will be presented Oct. 3

County Clerk Hanlon announces Archives Day

award winners

Inaugural M. Claire French Award to Lillian G. Burry

18^th annual Jane G. Clayton Award to Joseph Hammond

“Both of these recipients are very deserving of recognition,” Hanlon said. “There is no public servant more deserving of the inaugural M. Claire French award than Lillian Burry. Lillian has been an advocate, champion and enthusiast of historic preservation in Monmouth County as a citizen and throughout her entire career as a public servant and elected official.”

Freeholder Burry has made many notable contributions to historical preservation throughout her career, including heading Matawan’s Historic Preservation Program while serving on the Matawan Council, during which time the group purchased and restored the borough’s most historic 1700’s era mansion. She also founded and chairs the Colts Neck Historical Preservation Committee.

Burry served as the Chair of the County’s 325th Anniversary celebration that featured the County historic sites, programs and resources, serves as the liaison to the County’s Historical Commission and was named the Commission’s 2010 “Person of the Year.”

“Lillian’s numerous contributions to historical preservation are vast and her tireless efforts have contributed to the success of preservation, restoration and education of history in Monmouth County,” added Hanlon.

The M. Claire French Award for Leadership in Historic Preservation recognizes outstanding achievements of an elected official, government employee, public servant or civic organization in supporting historic preservation in Monmouth County through education, development, planning, rehabilitation, advocacy, community leadership or other means.

The award is named after M. Claire French, Hanlon’s predecessor, who was County Clerk from 1997 until her retirement on April 1, 2015. During French’s 18-year tenure, she oversaw the modernization of the Clerk’s Office, including digitizing County records and the electronic reporting of election results, as well as the expansion of the Office’s services with Monmouth County Connection Office in Neptune Township.

Also to be presented on Oct. 3 is an award named after former County Clerk Jane G. Clayton, who was responsible for the creation of the Monmouth County Archives. Created in 1997, the Clayton Award honors individuals who, over a substantial number of years, have made exceptional contributions to the awareness, understanding or preservation of Monmouth County history.

“Without question, Joseph Hammond is deserving of this recognition of his achievements,” said Hanlon. “I look forward to presenting the award to him on Archives and History Day.” 

Joseph W. Hammond has been actively engaged in the fields of historical research, archival processing, historic preservation, and curatorial work since 1969.  A past director of the Monmouth County Historical Association (1978-1981), Hammond’s extensive experience includes preparing five State & Historic National Registers of Historic Places Nominations, including the Merino Hill Farm in Upper Freehold, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Freehold and Christ Episcopal Church in Shrewsbury, for which he also served as Restoration Chair in a $1.3 million stabilization and repair project.

A frequent lecturer on Monmouth County history and historic preservation, he has published articles on Monmouth’s artists and craftsmen for national periodicals and is preparing a book about Middletown artist Henry Thomas Gulick.  In 2015, Hammond completed a 315-page guide to the extensive Hartshorne Family Papers, which he organized for the Monmouth County Historical Association.

“These are but a few of Hammond’s many achievements that have enhanced the fields of historical research and education,” added Hanlon.

For more information on Archives and History Day and Archives Week visit the Monmouth County website at www.visitmonmouth.com, contact the Monmouth County Archives at 732-308-3771 or email gary.saretzky@co.monmouth.nj.us.

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