For Immediate Release

Princeton Seminary Receives New Jersey Historic Preservation Grant

Princeton, NJ, February 15, 2006–The New Jersey Historic Trust has awarded Princeton Theological Seminary a historic preservation grant of $49,995. The grant, a historic site management grant, will support the creation of a preservation plan for the Seminary’s historic buildings.

This is the Seminary’s first grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust, which funds the restoration and conservation of the state’s historic treasures. Both the Garden State Preservation Trust and the New Jersey State Legislature must approve all projects selected for the grants.

Deadra Ashton, the Seminary’s director of planned giving, explained that historic buildings are buildings that are fifty years old or older, thus including everything from Alexander Hall, the campus’s oldest building (built in 1815), to Speer Library, built in 1957 and due for significant renovation. “We’re really pleased to partner with the trust to create a preservation plan for our entire campus, rather than for simply one building,” she said.

The Seminary has chosen Watson and Henry Associates of Bridgeton, New Jersey, as architects for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in 2006.

German Martinez, the Seminary’s director of facilities, explained that the project will begin with a review of all archival documents related to the institution’s buildings older than 50 years old. “The architects will review a history of what the buildings have looked like, what uses they have had, what historical renovation has been done to date, and which architects have worked on them,” he said.

Since 1990, the New Jersey Historic Trust has awarded $96.26 million in matching grants to 455 preservation projects. “The trust’s grants for historic preservation encourage long-term investment in New Jersey’s communities,” said Barbara Irvine, the trust’s executive director.