TRENTON, NJ - The New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) has announced two upcoming project grant workshops, in addition to several pending deadlines for historical organizations statewide to apply for financial support for the remainder of the 2010 fiscal year.

On Tuesday, August 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Stickley Museum in Parsippany; and Friday, August 14, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Salem County Historical Society, Historical Commission Grants Director Sara Cureton will be on hand to answer questions and offer valuable insight on the most effective ways to compile an application for NJHC project grant support.

"Now more than ever, we know how critical Commission support is for historical organizations statewide," noted Marc Mappen, director of the Historical Commission. "Even the slightest amount of grant assistance could mean the world to a historic site or attraction whose bottom line is very small, and we're making a concerted effort through grant cycles to spread our funds to as many groups as possible in tough budgetary times."

Those interested in attending either workshop should e-mail Sara Cureton at sara.cureton@sos.state.nj.us with your name, institutional affiliation (if any), telephone number, e-mail address and the workshop you plan to attend. You may also register by calling 609-943-3306.

Directions to the workshops can be found by visiting www.stickleymuseum.org or www.salemcountyhistoricalsociety.com.

IMPORTANT NJHC PROJECT GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINES APPROACHING

The workshops also will remind everyone that all project grant applications are due into the Historical Commission office by September 15, 2009. All applicants must file an electronic notice to apply by 4:00 p.m. on September 1, 2009.  To do so, visit the following link: www.state.nj.us/state/divisions/historical/projectsupport.html.

The new round of grant applications comes after the Historical Commission's recent announcement of over $2.2 million in General Operating Support awards to sixty-five organizations statewide. This assistance is critical to preserving key landmarks across New Jersey's historical landscape, while meeting the Commission's mission to "enrich the lives of the public by preserving the historical record and advancing interest in and awareness of New Jersey's past."

To learn more about the New Jersey Historical Commission, its mission, grant and support programs, and upcoming events, visit www.state.nj.us/state/divisions/historical.

To learn more about the diverse array of programs and services under the Department of State's purview, visit www.state.nj.us/state.