OFFICE OF CULTURAL AND HERITAGE AFFAIRS

In conjunction with National Historic Preservation Week, the Atlantic County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs is seeking nominations for the annual county-wide Historic Preservation Recognition Program. The program recognizes county residents, organizations or businesses who have taken steps to preserve valuable resources.

Nominations are invited from individuals and organizations. Owners of historic properties may nominate their own historic buildings. A special committee will review nominations and make recommendations for awards to County administration. This program is administered by the Atlantic County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs.

There are 5 categories of recognition:

1. Restoration: Restoration refers to projects that require substantial historical research, documentation and study that dictate actual work done. Very few historic preservation projects are true restorations - that is back to a definite and documented point in time. More often than not the projects fall under category Two.

2. Rehabilitation and Adaptive Re-use: Rehabilitation and Adaptive-Re-use. Work done on a structure improves the structure through historically sensitive treatment, which maintains historical integrity but cannot be substantiated under the stricter criterion of restoration.

3. Preservation planning: Historic preservation planning is designed to recognize historical surveys, inventories and planning projects affecting cultural resources of districts and neighborhoods.

4. Archival Records: Archival Records is designed to recognize publicly or privately generated records (e.g. board meeting minutes, account books, ledgers, letters) which have been preserved and made available for public use.

5. History Education: Designed to recognize the collection and organization of historical data and materials into a form which assists in furthering the knowledge and appreciation of local history. (e.g. house history, local history curriculum, educational outreach programs, exhibits, books, pamphlets, etc.)

Guidelines for Historic Preservation Recognition

1. Nominated buildings, structures must be at least 50 years old and must be located in Atlantic County. They should have historical or architectural significance but do not have to be eligible for the National and State Register of Historic Places. Buildings erected in the 18th, 19th and 20th century are equally eligible. The buildings should retain architectural integrity from the period, or periods of their significance.

2. Recognition will only be extended to projects where proper preservation techniques have been used.

3. Self nominations are acceptable.

4. County-owned historic sites are not eligible for commendations. County employees of the Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs and members of the Historic Preservation Recognition Committee are ineligible for commendations.

5. Nomination forms must be complete and have adequate supporting documentation. Incomplete applications or applications lacking sufficient detail may be returned for revision. An extension of only five days may be given for revisions to the application. Please read the form carefully.

6. More than one commendation may be given in each category, but commendations will not necessarily be given in all categories. Certificates will be presented at a recognition reception. Commendations will be limited to no more than two in each category in a given year. Nomination materials will be returned to those not selected with an invitation to re-apply for the next round.

7. Nominations must be returned by the date indicated on the guidelines / nomination form (link in the upper left hand column) for the current year, to the Atlantic County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs on the forms provided with attached pages, photographs, slides and supporting materials. The forms may be duplicated.

The Nomination Form link (top of the left hand column) will allow you to download the form in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format. If you need a free copy of the Acrobat Reader, click here.

For more information please contact Cynthia Mason Purdie at (609) 646-8699 x6314.