Berkeley's Manitou Park School House Set For $656K State Grant

BERKELEY, NJ — Efforts to preserve the Manitou Park School House got a major boost. The Preserve New Jersey Historic Reservation Fund announced a $656,537 grant for the structure.

The grant recommendation, announced by the New Jersey Historic Trust Board, is among $11.9 million in grants anticipated to be approved Tuesday by the Garden State Preservation Trust. It's a matching grant, meaning local government would receive funding based on how much it raises on its own.

The one-room schoolhouse was built in 1929 to serve the largest black community in Ocean County outside of Lakewood, according to New Jersey Historic Trust.

Manitou Park School House received one of the state's largest grant recommendations for historic preservation. Only 16 of the 67 grants were in categories that could receive between $150,001 and $750,000.

The historic Dentzel/Looff Carousel in Seaside Heights has a recommended $750,000 grant. Read more: Seaside Heights Carousel To Get $750K State Grant

“Historic structures and places are a foundational part of our towns that serve as community gathering spaces, heritage and tourism attractions, and places of recreation and respite — they are the places we love and they are so vital to improving New Jersey’s economy and quality of life,” said Acting Governor Sheila Oliver.

See the full list of recipients.

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