For Immediate Release:

MANALAPAN, NJ – Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon is seeking nominations for the Monmouth County Jane G. Clayton Award and the M. Claire French Award for Leadership in Historic Preservation.  If you know someone who has gone above and beyond to preserve the history of Monmouth County, nominate that person by June 30.

“The Clayton and French awards are a great way to say ‘thank you’ to the outstanding individuals who have shown a true passion and dedication to Monmouth County history,” said County Clerk Hanlon. “Both awards will be presented at the County’s Archives and History Day on Oct. 8.”

Created in 1997, the Jane G. 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. The award is named after former County Clerk Jane G. Clayton, who was responsible for the creation of the Monmouth County Archives.

Past winners of the Clayton award include Joseph Hammond, Angel and Jack Jeandron, Cheryl Cook, Wayne T. Bell Jr., George Moss, Mary Lou Strong, Louise Jost, Wesley Banse, Douglas Foulks, Gail Hunton, Michael Adelberg, Lee Ellen Griffith, Flora Higgins, Gerald Ceres, Karen Schnitzspahn, Lydia Wikoff, Garry Wheeler Stone, Edward J. Raser and Joseph G. Bilby.

The awardee is selected by Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon, in consultation with the County Historian and the County Archivist.

Created in 2015, 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.

“Claire was an outstanding leader and public servant for more than 30 years, 18 years as Clerk. We created the award to recognize and remember her long time dedication to the County of Monmouth,” Hanlon said. “Importantly, as County Clerk, Claire supervised the Monmouth County Archives and worked to improve the ability to preserve our historic records and make them accessible to the public.”

Freeholder Lillian G. Burry was the inaugural recipient of the French Award.

A committee, which will include members of Monmouth County’s historical organizations as well as the County Archives Division, will select the award winner from the nominations.

Archives and History Day will take place on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan. The event is expected to once again host more than 50 exhibitors presenting topics related to New Jersey history and their organizations.

“Archives and History Day is a wonderful opportunity for young and old to learn about the rich traditions, beliefs and values that make up our diverse county and allows us each to explore our cultural identity as citizens of Monmouth County,” said Hanlon.

Since 1996, Archives and History Day has been celebrated annually in Monmouth County as part of National Archives Week. Its purpose is to bring together archivists, historians and others people and organizations who preserve New Jersey history and make it available to the public, particularly as it relates to Monmouth County.

For more information or to request a nomination form, by phone, please call 732-308-3771 or by, email shelagh.reilly@co.monmouth.nj.us or CountyClerk@co.monmouth.nj.us.

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