MADISON, NJ – Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver joined the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts (METC) executive staff and state and local officials today to present a Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund Grant administered by the New Jersey Historic Trust (Trust), an affiliate of the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The $50,000 Historic Site Management (HSM) Grant was awarded to the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts located in the Madison Public Library and the James Building in historic Madison Borough. The grant will be used to fund a feasibility study and construction documents to guide the creation of a visible collections storage facility in the museum. 

“The METC is a valuable educational, recreational and historical asset to the Madison community and State of New Jersey and we’re pleased to provide this grant to help preserve their priceless collections,” said Lt. Governor Oliver, who serves as DCA Commissioner. “This new state-of-the-art visible collections facility will not only help preserve artifacts, but will add a new dimension to the museum that visitors can view and enjoy.” 

Last month, Governor Murphy signed a $11.7 million appropriations bill approving 50 Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund Grant recommendations that were made by the New Jersey Historic Trust in the fall. The 2021 fund is supporting preservation planning, heritage tourism and capital projects to save and promote historic sites throughout the state. There are multiple categories and levels of grants awarded by the fund. The METC received a Historic Site Management (HSM) Grant, which may be used to help fund preservation planning projects such as condition assessments, historic structure reports, archaeological investigations, and construction documents. A full list of the projects and their descriptions can be found here.  

“As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s fitting that this grant is going to a museum that exhibits and celebrates the role of women as craftspeople, business owners, artists, explorers, scientists and leaders. The Trust is proud to partner with this outstanding educational museum to continue to highlight our past while promoting heritage tourism in Morris County and the state,” said New Jersey Historic Trust Executive Director Dorothy Guzzo. 

The Museum of Early Trades and Crafts (METC) was constructed between 1899 and 1900. The building functioned as Madison’s first public library until 1967 and in 1970, METC was established in the building. METC works to interpret the history of trades and crafts in New Jersey, featuring an impressive collection of hand tools and artifacts from various regions and time periods. METC has become one of NJ's premier history museums focusing on telling the stories of the early life of the people of New Jersey. 

"For 50 years, the magnificent James Library building has been the home of the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts (METC) providing a stunning backdrop to the stories we tell about the immigrants, farmers, artisans and craftspeople who built and created the communities and cities of New Jersey,” said METC Executive Director Deborah Starker. “We are most grateful for this support from the Lieutenant Governor and the NJ Historic Trust, which enables us to continue the preservation of the historic building and the creation of a new viewable storage facility that will protect and conserve our collection." 

"The $50,000 grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust is so important as we not only preserve this special building but also support the great work of the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts in telling the stories behind the history of New Jersey," said Madison Borough Mayor Robert Conley. "It was an honor to attend the presentation of the grant with Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, representing the great partnership we have with Trenton." 

The 2020 HSM grant will fund the development of a feasibility study to determine the best approach for creating a state-of-the-art collections storage facility in the lower level of METC with a viewing window that will make the space visible to the public. This new project will not only allow the METC to expand and care for their incredible collections, but it will add a new and exciting opportunity for visitor engagement. Visitors will be able to observe museum staff handling and processing artifacts through the viewing window, providing them with a first-hand look at the archival process and the storage space itself. This type of “behind the scenes” engagement will add a new layer of depth to METC, which already has a robust interpretive plan and several static and changing exhibits. 

The Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund was established by legislation in 2016 after New Jersey voters approved a change to the state constitution to provide a stable source of funding for open space, farmland and historic preservation by dedicating funds from the corporate business tax. The Preserve New Jersey Fund continues the work of the Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund (2000-2012) and the Historic Preservation Bond Program (1990-1997). Since 1990, more than $156 million in matching grants has been awarded to worthy historic preservation construction and planning projects throughout the state.  

Created by the State Legislature, the New Jersey Historic Trust is a nonprofit historic preservation organization affiliated with the Department of Community Affairs. Governed by a 15-member board of trustees, the mission of the Trust is to advance historic preservation in New Jersey for the benefit of future generations through education, stewardship and financial investment programs that save our heritage and strengthen our communities. 

For more information on the New Jersey Historic Trust and its funding programs, visit: www.njht.org. 

For more information on the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, visit: www.metc.org.