Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 08/14/2025
In 2025, a total of $63,750 in grant funds were awarded to seven organizations in Somerset County through the County History Partnership Program (CHPP). The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission is currently accepting applications for the 2026 CHPP grant round. Applications for 2026 CHPP grants must be submitted by 4:00pm on Friday, September 12, 2025.
The CHPP grant, which is funded through a partnership between the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission and the New Jersey Historical Commission, supports local history organizations that provide New Jersey-based history programming, services, and education about Somerset County for its residents.
“Since 2015, this grant has enabled local organizations to preserve the history of Somerset County through educational programs, exhibits, community events, and family-friendly activities that explore the County’s past,” said Deputy Director Melonie Marano, liaison to the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission. “The CHPP grant also supports the maintenance of our historic sites and landmarks, which bring history to life through immersive experiences and live tours led by trained history docents. In 2026, these programs will play a major role in helping residents celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary.”
Learn More About The 2025 CHPP Grant Recipients
Friends of the Abraham Staats House, located in South Bound Brook, were awarded $8,260 to support annual programming in preparation for the upcoming 250th Anniversary of American Independence.
Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House, located in Bedminster, were awarded $20,415 to support the organization’s educational programming, outreach efforts, and administrative costs.
Friends of the Kennedy Martin Stelle Farmstead, located in Bernards, were awarded $8,330 to develop a series of videos about the historic significance of the Farmstead and the County’s connection to the Revolutionary War.
Heritage Trail Association, located in Bridgewater, was awarded $13,245 to support annual Revolutionary War-themed programming, events, educational materials, and new activities.
The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills, located in Bernards, was awarded $2,000 tosupport a speaker panel dedicated to the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail’s relation to the trail in the Somerset Hills.
Ukrainian History and Education Center, located in Franklin, was awarded $6,000 to aid ongoing research into the history of Ukrainian immigrant communities in New Jersey, which will serve as a publicly accessible resource.
Van Harlingen Historical Society of Montgomery, located in Montgomery, was awarded $5,500 to support the historic Dirck Gulick House’s general operations and enhance local history programming.
2026 CHPP Grant Applications
To learn more about applying for the 2026 CHPP grant, visit: County History Partnership Program Grant | Somerset County. For more information, contact the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission office at (908) 231-7021 or [email protected].
The County of Somerset is committed to excellence and innovation in public service, promoting the well-being of all residents and communities by providing effective, efficient, and responsive leadership.
EVENT PREVIEWS
37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival to Take Place June 27-28, 2026
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Manayunk Development Corporation is excited to celebrate the 37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 11:00am to 7:00pm and Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 11:00am to 5:00pm. The tradition of being the tri-state area's largest outdoor juried art festival - and the largest in Pennsylvania - will continue as Main Street hosts approximately 300 different local and nationally known artists and crafters.
Carteret's Independence Day Festival to feature country star Walker Hayes
(CARTERET, NJ) -- One of New Jersey's most popular Independence Day Festivals will take place in Carteret's Civic Center Park (100 Cooke Avenue) from 6:00pm to midnight on Friday, July 3, 2026 in celebration of America's 250th birthday.
Bergen County presents 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular
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(TRENTON, NJ) -- Passage Theatre Company's third annual Word on Front event is set to be its biggest yet. In celebration of the United States of America's 250th Anniversary, the company is presenting Word on Front 250, three consecutive weekends of a variety of live arts from June 26 to July 12, 2026. This festival of spoken word, music, and solo performance will celebrate the untold and underrepresented stories of America.
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(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's SUMMERFEST 2026 is set to take center stage in the Lackland Performing Arts Center with four productions running through the summer months. SUMMERFEST will feature, A Taste of Ireland presented by Pace Live, The Wedding Singer, Four Sticks: The Music of Led Zeppelin, and Maltby & Shire's Closer Than Ever.
Hallmark Stars Take the Stage at The Carteret PAC on July 22nd during First-Time Multi-City Tour Experience Hallmark Stars Live
(CARTERET, NJ) -- Hallmark and Gershwin Entertainment are proud to announce Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, a new live tour kicking off at URSB Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 7:30pm where some of the network's most beloved stars step off screen and onto the stage. Hosted by fan-favorite Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas), the tour will feature Hallmark mainstays for a night where the cameras are off – and the stories keep rolling.
Hallmark Stars Live comes to MPAC on July 26th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, is a new live tour kicking off this summer where some of the network's most beloved stars step off screen and onto the stage. Hosted by fan-favorite Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas), the tour will feature Hallmark mainstays for a night where the cameras are off – and the stories keep rolling. The tour comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 7:00pm.
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