News & Updates from Preservation New Jersey
News & more...
More Hurdles for
Camden High School

The "Castle of the Hill", a 2017 10 Most Endangered Historic Place in NJ is in jeopardy of being lost forever. Demolition has begun on the Camden High School Annex. The good news is, the Schools Development Authority (SDA) has agreed to hold off demolishing the significant portions of the building until objectors have exhausted court and other injunctive processes. The bad news, the State Review Board removed the Camden High School State Register listing from its November 9th agenda. The Camden High School PTO filed for an injunction to stop the demolition. The case was heard in US District Court on November 23rd. Unfortunately, Judge Robert Kugler declared the the plaintiffs (the Camden High School Alumni Association and the Camden High School PTO) failed to demonstrate how razing the school would cause "concrete injury" to either party, and dismissed the case.

The objectors will continue to seek relief in the State Courts. If you would like to help the Camden High School Alumni Association and the Camden High School PTO with legal fees, they have started a GoFundMe page to make tax-deductible contributions.

Support the 10 Most on 
#GivingTuesday

You don't have to be a world leader
or a billionaire to give back.
#GivingTuesday is about ordinary people
coming together doing extraordinary things. 


Preservation New Jersey is participating in #GivingTuesday to bolster our 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in NJ program. While publishing the annual list raises awareness, many of our grassroots organizers need monetary and technical assistance to help save their endangered historic place. Your donation enables PNJ to provide support throughout the year, so that we can see real progress in preserving these valuable resources.

the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match gifts when
donating on #GivingTuesday via Facebook!
The Fate of the Union Hotel Still Pending

The battle over the Flemington Historic District, the Bank Building, and the Union Hotel (a 2016 10 Most Endangered Historic Place in NJ) wages on. In August, the Historic Sites Council issued a temporary denial of an encroachment application, asking for additional information related to structural integrity of the Bank Building, archaeological resources, and details as to how the size and scale of the surrounding buildings would affect the Bank Building. Preservation New Jersey issued a letter relaying its concerns and recommendations related to the development proposal on October 25th, and the Borough submitted supplemental information to the Historic Sites Council on November 3rd. In the meantime, the Friends of Historic Flemington continue to question the Borough's motives, recently receiving a ruling in their favor regarding the Borough's failure to comply with the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). The Borough also furthered its due diligence, with the Planning Board declaring the Redevelopment Plan consistent with the Master Plan on October 31st (report pending). However, with two incumbents losing seats on November 7th, the Council tabled the vote on the Courthouse Square Redevelopment Plan.

The saga continues...we'll keep you posted as this story progresses!


2018 Nominations Now Being Accepted!

Preservation New Jersey invites nominations for our 2018 list of New Jersey's 10 Most Endangered Historic Places. 

The selection committee uses the following basic criteria for initial consideration:
  • Architectural integrity and historical significance
  • Imminence of identifiable threat
  • Likelihood that inclusion on this list will make a positive impact on preservation efforts
  • Geographic and thematic diversity
Please submit your nomination using this  online form.

Nominations due Friday, January 5, 2018. 
The 2018 list of the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in New Jersey will be announced in May 2018.
History & Preservation in the News....

New Jersey's first Thanksgiving?
The Bayshore legend of Penelope Stout  
The "Penelope Stout House" in Holmdel, before it was razed in 2006. (Photo: APP.com)
 

A glimmer of hope for embattled engine that powers preservation of historic buildings - Chicago Tribune

Not the typical history story - our very own PNJ Office Manger, Dale Perry, in the news...
 Ewing residents publish 'My Bowie Story,' an anthology tribute to David Bowie - Community News
Acti on Alert

After nearly forty years of demonstrated success, the federal historic tax credit (HTC) was eliminated in the tax reform bill passed by the House of Representatives on November 16. Later that day, the Senate Finance Committee approved its version of tax reform legislation, which keeps the HTC at the current 20% level, but does make changes that reduce the value of the incentive.

The Senate Finance bill marks a key milestone for the preservation movement and we should take time to celebrate and thank our key supporters on the Committee.

The legislative process is not over, however, and preservationists must continue their outreach to Congress to ensure the best possible outcome for the historic tax credit. The Finance Committee's tax reform bill heads to the Senate floor after the Thanksgiving holiday where opportunities exist to improve the HTC provisions further.

Events

Membership Drive

It's time to renew your PNJ membership for the 2017/18 year.   Your commitme n t  and vital support is integral to our  statewide preservation efforts in New Jersey! 

Please support us by joining PNJ today!
Preservation New Jersey is the proud recipient of an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.
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