For Immediate Release:
June 4, 2024

Historical Commission presents
2024 Preservation Awards
Fifth-grade history essay contest winners honored for creative achievements

FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Historical Commission recently announced the recipients of the County’s 2024 Historic Preservation Awards and the winners of the History Essay Contest for fifth-grade students.

“The Preservation Awards are presented to individuals or organizations who have undertaken restoration and preservation projects of historic buildings in Monmouth County,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “The Board would like to thank them for their hard work and congratulate all of the honorees and award winners.”

“Congratulations to the Historical Commission’s Preservation Award winners”, said Commissioner Erik Anderson, liaison to the Historical Commission. “The award recognizes individuals or organizations who have worked hard to preserve historic buildings and sites throughout Monmouth County, and we thank them for their commitment to preserving our history for future generations.”

This year’s Historic Preservation Awards were presented to:

      · Jim LaPointe of LaPointe Construction and Brianne Van Vorst of Liberty-Stained Glass Conservation for restoring the iconic Freehold Trust/Central Jersey Bank and Trust Clock in Freehold.

The Historical Commission also recognized the winners of the 2024 Fifth Grade History Essay Contest. Each student received an essay contest certificate and a bookstore gift certificate:

      · 1st Place: Aiden Patterson of St. Rose Grammar School, Belmar, for History To Be Proud Of;
· 2nd Place tie: Ginevra Dalia of St. James Elementary School, Red Bank, for My Great Grandfather: From the Farm to the Pentagon;
· 2nd Place tie: Margaret Peduto of St. James Elementary School, Red Bank, for The Tinton Falls Waterfall;
· 3rd Place: Henrik Hirschbein of New Monmouth School, Middletown, for Hartshorne Woods Place a Historical Site.

“This year marks the Historical Commission's 32nd annual essay contest and we appreciate all of the thoughtful entries that were submitted,” said Commissioner Anderson. “Students wrote about historical sites they have visited, their family histories and other fascinating topics. The essay contest continues to be a wonderful way to inspire young people to appreciate local history.”

For information about the County’s Historical Commission, go to www.visitmonmouth.com.