Somerset County Honors the 2022 Historic Preservation and History Award Winners

SOMERVILLE, NJ – The Somerset County Historic Preservation and History awards are intended to honor individuals and organizations that promote and preserve Somerset County’s rich history. This year’s winners were recently recognized at a ceremony at the Environmental Education Center at Lord Stirling Park in Basking Ridge.

“The Board of County Commissioners is grateful to the many people and organizations that work endlessly to preserve our history for the benefit of future generations,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Melonie Marano, Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission liaison. “We also appreciate their contributions to the county’s quality of life.”

Winners of the 2022 Historic Preservation and History Awards: 

Historic Preservation Leadership: Daniel W. Lincoln of Bernardsville was recognized for over 30 years in the field of historic preservation, aiding in the restoration of numerous sites, including the Brick Academy, Dunster-Squib Property and Moses Craig Lime Kilns. He has also contributed to grant writing, programming, and serving as president of the Historical Society of the Somerset Hills. He is currently serving as the president of Friends of Historic Bernardsville.

History Education: The Jacobus Vanderveer House in Bedminster for the Pluckemin Cantonment Model, a scale replica and valuable, visual teaching aid which features the buildings and underlying landforms of the Pluckemin Cantonment as well as models of individual soldiers.

History Public Awareness: Raritan Historic and Cultural Committee for 17 vinyl-wrapped town benches that showcase the history and culture of Raritan. Imagery on the benches range from historic buildings, such as the Raritan Hotel, to the John Basilone Welcome Home parade of 1943. The benches serve to teach and inspire visitors to learn more about Raritan.

History Publication: Cindy Williams Newsome of Bridgewater was recognized for her book, “Chasing Baseball for Life and other Adventures: Dedicated to Nearo Williams Jr.” The book covers the life of Nearo Williams, an African American baseball player who was raised in the Hobbstown region of Bridgewater and played for the Somerville Raiders, while also paying homage to several local Little League, Pony League, and semi-pro baseball coaches and managers of the 1950s to 1970s.The book also covers Nearo Williams’ post-baseball life, including his work as a community organizer for the Somerset Community Action Program, and how his chosen sport influenced him.

History Publication: Linda L. Wass of Bridgewater was recognized for her work, “Flashback,” a single page digital broadside imitating local newspapers of the past containing historical information from local library collections and archives, and excerpts from newspapers of the past 150 years.

Young Historian: Jason Elliott Ng of Watchung for leading 26 volunteers in designing and updating the World War I and II exhibit, as well as planning and incorporating a display dedicated to local veteran and World War II hero Henry Long, in the Texier House Museum. He also received of a $500 scholarship from the Friends of Somerset County Cultural & Heritage, Inc.

Special Recognition Award: Dr. Alan H. Cooper, of Hackettstown, was given Special Recognition for his work and dedication to the Lord Stirling Manor archeological project.

Special Recognition Award: Jessie Havens of Belle Mead for over 50 years work and dedication to the history of Somerset County, including a weekly column titled “Hindsight” for the Somerset Messenger-Gazette which ran for 25 years, co-founding Heritage Trail Association, scholarly research of the Hall-Mills murder trial, inspiring two symposia on Middlebrook, and numerous publications on the history of Somerville and Somerset County.

Dr. Richard Veit, the keynote speaker, delivered a presentation highlighting the archaeology of Lord Stirling Manor.

The Historic Preservation and History Awards are sponsored by the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners, Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission and Friends of Somerset County Cultural & Heritage, Inc. The program is administered by an awards committee, comprised of individuals appointed by the County’s Cultural & Heritage Commission, and is comprised of Cultural & Heritage Commission board members and Advisory Committee members.

For more information, contact the Cultural & Heritage Commission at 908-231-7021 or email CulturalHeritage@co.somerset.nj.us.

To stay up to date with Somerset County events and information, sign up for free email alerts at www.co.somerset.nj.us/subscribe or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.