Burlington County Commissioners announce close to 200,000 in grant awards for local arts, history groups

MOUNT HOLLY – Twenty-six Burlington County arts and history organizations will receive close to $200,000 in local arts and historic preservation grants this year to help support their operations and special events.

The Burlington County Commissioners approved the individual grants earlier this month, saying they reflect a substantial increase in funding for local arts and history groups.

“Burlington County is home to incredible history and a diverse arts scene, and they both play an enormous role county’s stellar quality of life,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Dan O’Connell. “These grants will assist local towns, historical societies, museums and other nonprofits preserve and enhance many of our county’s most important historic sites, as well as help educate people about their importance. Similarly, these grants will allow numerous local arts groups to continue operating, performing and developing new and exciting programs that bring culture and visitors to our communities.”

A total of $47,574 in local history grants were awarded to 11 organizations, up from the $31,716 awarded in 2021.  Another $152,350 in arts grants were awarded to 15 organizations, up from the $42,000 awarded in arts grants distributed in 2021.

The larger grants are the result of state funding increases and the Board’s decision last year to raise the caps on the arts grants and to eliminate the matching funds requirement for both programs.

The grants were awarded by the County as part of the New Jersey Historical Commission’s County History Partnership Program and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts Local Arts Program. All 26 awards will support a variety of activities and programs, including general operations, marketing, special exhibits, classes, performances and the development of museum exhibits.

The awards include five first time applicants for the history grants and two first time applicants for arts grants.

The first-time history recipients are the Bordentown Historical Society, Mount Holly Township, the Riverfront Historical Society, Springfield Township and Evesham Township. The first-time recipients of an arts grant are the Haaf Family Arts Foundation and the South Jersey Artist Collective.

“We know many of these arts and history organizations were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and we’re thrilled to be able to distribute larger awards this year to help them recover and launch new programs or projects,” O’Connell said. “We’re also pleased to see several new grant recipients and project proposals so this funding can impact more people.”

The complete list of approved history grants are as follows:

• Bordentown Historical Society, Bordentown: $4,000 to assist with documentation for an application to the National Parks Service for recognition of the historic Farnsworth Avenue Stone Arch Bridge/Tunnel and Bordentown Cut and for the development of a display of the rock types used by the Camden and Amboy Railroad for the Bordentown Cut and other rail infrastructure.

• Chesterfield Township Historical Society, Crosswicks: $7,065 to complete a multi-phase museum, including fabrication of new exhibit panels, furniture assessments and artifact storage, labels, documents and photos.

• Evesham Township Historical Society, Evesham: $4,000 for maintenance of the historic John Inskeep House and artifacts, future outreach and projects.

• Friends of West Hill Inc., Burlington: $2,000 to obtain a structural report on the West Hill Manor needed for restoration and repairs at the 1700s-era home.

• Friends of White Hill Mansion, Fieldsboro: $4,750 for the installation of five historically accurate and accessible interpretive signs. The signs will feature QR codes with information about the Field family, railroad history, Colonial naval battles, architecture, archeology, Native Americans and the mansion’s restoration.

• Mount Holly Township: $3,543 to support the Mount Holly Revolutionary War Project through the development, purchase and installation of interpretive signs.

• Riverfront Historical Society, Beverly: $5,419 to purchase archival software to assist with an inventory of the society’s collection of artifacts, photographs and documents. The Society also plans to launch a new website to promote their collection and work.

• Springfield Township: $3,797 for the development of interpretive signs detailing the Revolutionary War in Springfield and its impacts on the local population, including the Battle of Petticoat Bridge, the Bunting House and Slabtown.

• Tabernacle Historical Society, Tabernacle: $2,000 for a building integrity survey of the 1861 Knight-Pepper House and the creation of a digital repository for artifacts, photographs and documents.

• Timbuctoo Historical Society, Westampton: $4,000 for operations, including professional development for social study teachers, research of 19^th century newspapers, web development and consulting fees.

• Evesham Township: $7,000 to assist with the development of a video project on the township’s website detailing local historical resources.

The complete list of approved arts grants are as follows:

• Arts Guild NJ, Burlington: $12,000 to support operations, including the painting of five historically representative murals with renowned mural artists and Burlington area students.

• Bridge Players Theatre Company, Burlington: $10,000 for general operating support for the Burlington City-based theater group.

• Burlington County St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Mount Holly: $7,000 to support the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Mount Holly and other cultural programs and events.

• Faith in Action! Inc., Willingboro: $12,000 to continue the Willingboro-based organization’s training program and other activities, including tours of performing arts productions and workshops focused on topics like bullying, inclusion, history, substance-abuse and self-worth.

• Haaf Family Arts Foundation, Inc., Beverly: $10,000 to support general operations and a panned Blues Festival in Beverly.

• In Fact, Inc.: $12,000 for general operations support for the organization and its year-long project celebrating African American cultural heritage.

• Lyceum Studio of Fine and Performing Arts, Burlington: $10,000 to support general operations and marketing of the arts education programs at Lyceum Halle Center for Arts in Burlington City.

• Medford Arts Center, Medford: $12,000 for general operating support for the center and its programs, classes, exhibits and events, including the Medford Art & Wine and Music Festival, Family Day and the 2^nd Friday Medford Arts Walk.

• Mill Race Theatrical Company, Mount Holly: $12,000 for general operating support for the theater program, which offers free classes and mentorships for the individuals interested in the performing arts.

• Moorestown Theater Company, Moorestown: $12,000 for general operating support for the company’s productions and activities.

• Servicios Latinos de Burlington County, Westampton: $10,000 to support the organization’s annual Latino Festival and Hispanic Heritage Celebration featuring food, music, folk dance and health screenings.

• South Jersey Pops Orchestra, Evesham: $5,000 for general operating support for the all-volunteer community orchestra and its 2022 concert season.

• Underground Railroad Museum, Eastampton: $4,350 to support the museum’s three-part African Diaspora Series.

• West Jersey Music Academy, Moorestown: $12,000 for general operating support and expansion of the academy’s individualized instruction for students with special needs.

• Whitesbog Preservation Trust, Pemberton Township: $12,000 to support the Pinelands Music Festival and arts workshops the Trust holds in the community and local schools.