New Jersey Historic Trust Awards Hollybush Grants
New Jersey Historic Trust Awards Hollybush Grants
September 20, 2000
The New Jersey Historic Trust, a nonprofit historic preservation organization, awarded two
grants totaling $800,000 to the Friends of Hollybush to restore the historic Hollybush
mansion on the grounds of Rowan University.
The allocations, which are administered through the Garden State Historic Preservation
Trust Fund, include a $50,000 Historic Site Management Grant for a paint and finish
analysis of the first floor rooms and a $750,000 Capital Preservation Grant to restore the
facility as a museum and meeting place. The New Jersey Historic Trust awarded 49 grants
worth $12 million on September 14. The Hollybush project was the only one to receive top
funding in both categories and one of only six projects to receive $750,000 in the capital
preservation category.
Dr. Donald J. Farish, president of Rowan University, said Hollybush is an important part of
South Jersey architecture and history. <+>We are pleased the New Jersey Historic Trust
recognizes Hollybush’s historic significance and its value to the entire region. Hollybush has
long been a focal point for Gloucester County. This funding will enable the Friends of
Hollybush to restore it for appropriate use.<+>
The site of the historic 1967 summit conference between President Lyndon Johnson and
Soviet Premier Aleksei Kosygin, Hollybush was originally the home of the Whitney family,
owners of a local glassworks operation. Later, presidents of Rowan University and their
families resided there. In 1999, three firms specializing in historic restoration separately
recommended Hollybush be used as a museum and meeting space.
The nonprofit Friends of Hollybush, whose goal is to restore and operate the 1849 Italianate
villa, will use the funds to, among other concerns, install a new heating and ventilation
system and a new electrical system; paint and restore woodwork, floors and ceilings; restore
iron work; repoint bricks; and repair termite damage. The Friends of Hollybush expect
restoration to begin in January and to take about a year to complete.
Friends of Hollybush board members estimate the work on the building, which is listed on
the National Historic Register, will cost approximately $2.2 million. The board is seeking
outside contributions and other grants to fund the project.
<+>The funds from the New Jersey Historic Trust will go a long way towards the completion
of this important project. Hollybush has been a key part of building community on and off
campus throughout the University’s history. This funding will help us continue that
tradition,<+> said Kathleen Matteo, chair of the Friends of Hollybush board.
grants totaling $800,000 to the Friends of Hollybush to restore the historic Hollybush
mansion on the grounds of Rowan University.
The allocations, which are administered through the Garden State Historic Preservation
Trust Fund, include a $50,000 Historic Site Management Grant for a paint and finish
analysis of the first floor rooms and a $750,000 Capital Preservation Grant to restore the
facility as a museum and meeting place. The New Jersey Historic Trust awarded 49 grants
worth $12 million on September 14. The Hollybush project was the only one to receive top
funding in both categories and one of only six projects to receive $750,000 in the capital
preservation category.
Dr. Donald J. Farish, president of Rowan University, said Hollybush is an important part of
South Jersey architecture and history. <+>We are pleased the New Jersey Historic Trust
recognizes Hollybush’s historic significance and its value to the entire region. Hollybush has
long been a focal point for Gloucester County. This funding will enable the Friends of
Hollybush to restore it for appropriate use.<+>
The site of the historic 1967 summit conference between President Lyndon Johnson and
Soviet Premier Aleksei Kosygin, Hollybush was originally the home of the Whitney family,
owners of a local glassworks operation. Later, presidents of Rowan University and their
families resided there. In 1999, three firms specializing in historic restoration separately
recommended Hollybush be used as a museum and meeting space.
The nonprofit Friends of Hollybush, whose goal is to restore and operate the 1849 Italianate
villa, will use the funds to, among other concerns, install a new heating and ventilation
system and a new electrical system; paint and restore woodwork, floors and ceilings; restore
iron work; repoint bricks; and repair termite damage. The Friends of Hollybush expect
restoration to begin in January and to take about a year to complete.
Friends of Hollybush board members estimate the work on the building, which is listed on
the National Historic Register, will cost approximately $2.2 million. The board is seeking
outside contributions and other grants to fund the project.
<+>The funds from the New Jersey Historic Trust will go a long way towards the completion
of this important project. Hollybush has been a key part of building community on and off
campus throughout the University’s history. This funding will help us continue that
tradition,<+> said Kathleen Matteo, chair of the Friends of Hollybush board.