$1M Earmarked For Metuchen Meeting House Battlefield Preservation

METUCHEN, NJ — Middlesex County will receive $1,086,306 to preserve the Metuchen Meeting House Battlefield, Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-6) said Monday.

The grant will cover half of the acquisition cost and allow the county to create the new public Battle of Short Hills Park in partnership with Edison Township.

Funding for this comes from the U.S. National Park Service Battlefield Land Acquisition Grant Program, Pallone’s office said. The federal grant enables state and local governments to acquire and preserve historic battlefield lands and receives support from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

The LWCF reinvests revenue from offshore oil and natural gas leasing to help strengthen conservation and recreation opportunities across the country.

Pallone co-sponsored the Great American Outdoors Act, which fully and permanently funded the LWCF in August 2020.

“New Jersey has a rich history in the foundation of our nation. I’m pleased to see that the National Park Service has awarded Middlesex County with funding to help preserve this history for future generations,” Pallone said in a statement.

“This funding will go a long way toward helping Middlesex County and Edison protect green spaces and honor our state’s important history.”

The money will be used to acquire 7.49 acres of property and connect it with the adjacent Edith Stevens Wildlife Preserve. It will also be used to expand a local park and help prepare for the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War.

“Our deep roots in the Revolutionary War are part of our rich identity and attract new visitors each year," Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners, Director, Ronald G. Rios said in a statement. "We want to ensure precious sites like the Metuchen Meeting House Battlefield can be enjoyed for many generations.”

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