NJ's 10 Best-Funded Historic Sites Since 2000

By Colleen O'Dea, NJ Spotlight

As one of the original 13 colonies, New Jersey has a lot of buildings and places that are rich in history. The New Jersey Historic Trust, created in 1967, is tasked with helping preserve the state’s legacy. One way it helps do this is by providing grants to sites across the state for planning, repair, preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, and improvement of properties.

Two of the sites that have received the most money from the trust over since 2000 are located in Hudson County.

4. $1.5 million, Hudson County Courthouse, Jersey City, Hudson County

Built in 1910, the columned courthouse is a classic example of a public space built in the American Renaissance and Beaux Arts Styles. An imposing granite structure with a copper cupola sitting atop a grassy hill, the building remained vacant between 1966 and 1985, when it was restored and reopened. Its impressive exterior features tall Corinthian columns, balconies, decorative scrolls, and the heads of lions. Grants have funded the restoration of bronze chandeliers and other lighting, interior marble, and murals by such American artists as Edwin Blashfield, Charles Turner, and Howard Pyle.

9. $1.14 million, Ellis Island, Jersey City, Hudson County

Ellis Island was the primary immigration center for the United States between 1892, when it opened, and 1954, when it closed. More than 12 million immigrants passed through the 27.5-acre island, a majority of which is landfill. The New Jersey portion of the island includes the 1901 hospital complex, designed by James Knox Taylor, as well as the laundry building, which has also served as a morgue and nurse’s residence; Ward G, the contagious diseases war; the power plant; and the 1936 Art Deco recreation building, which has a red brick and terracotta exterior and large vaulted theater. Save Ellis Island, Inc. has used grant funds for engineering studies, interpretive plans, internal rehabilitation, and internal and exterior restoration work.

See the full list of the state's top 10 best-funded historic sites at NJ Spotlight

NJ Spotlight is an issue-driven news website that provides critical insight to New Jersey’s communities and businesses. It is non-partisan, independent, policy-centered and community-minded.