The New Jersey Council for the Humanities (‘NJCH’) has awarded a $15,000 grant to Preservation New Jersey (‘PNJ’) as part of its most recent grant round, which distributed a total of $205,716 in funding across 17 projects statewide. This grant will support PNJ’s Cemetery Stewardship Program Series, which aims to educate the public about the importance of preserving historic cemeteries and burial grounds across New Jersey.
In 2022, PNJ declared cemeteries as one of New Jersey’s 10 Most Endangered Historic Places, underscoring the need for greater attention to these vital cultural landmarks. Cemeteries such as Johnsons Cemetery, Dutch Reformed Church Graveyard, and Doremus Cedar Grove Farm Burial Ground/Canfield Cemetery were highlighted in the 2022 list of endangered places.
PNJ aims to expand its involvement and offer greater support to the 10 Most Endangered Sites. As part of this new initiative, PNJ is creating a series of public programs centered on cemetery preservation. The funding from NJCH will allow PNJ to develop and execute the following elements:
Curriculum Development: A series of workshops and continuing education programs aimed at teaching methods and tools for cemetery preservation.
Research and Outreach: Identifying New Jersey cemeteries suitable for hosting hands-on preservation workshops.
Program Materials: Development of educational resources and materials to guide participants through cemetery preservation techniques.
Community Engagement: Hosting multiple community outreach sessions to inspire statewide participation in preserving New Jersey’s historic cemeteries.
Through this project, PNJ is laying the groundwork for a broader Cemetery Historic Preservation Master Plan, which will foster long-term preservation efforts and ensure that New Jersey's cemeteries remain protected for future generations.
For more information on the Cemetery Stewardship Program Series, please contact us at info@preservationnj.org or visit www.preservationnj.org/programs
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