Nominate Your Choice For County Clerk’s Annual History Preservation Awards

Former Monmouth County Clerk Jane G. Clayton. (Photo courtesy Monmouth County)
Former Monmouth County Clerk Jane G. Clayton. (Photo courtesy Monmouth County)

MANALAPAN – It is that time of year again! Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon is looking for this year’s recipient of the Monmouth County Jane G. Clayton Award and for the M. Claire French Award for Leadership in Historic Preservation.

If you know any person or any organization worthy of this prestigious award, honoring those who work to preserve county history, send in your nominations by July 15!

“The Jane G. Clayton and M. Claire French Awards will be presented at our 24th Annual Archives and History Day on Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan,” said Clerk Hanlon. “These awards will acknowledge exceptional individuals or groups whose involvement has preserved and deepened our understanding of Monmouth County’s history.”

The Jane G. Clayton Award was established in 1997 to honor those who have made outstanding contributions to the awareness, understanding or preservation of Monmouth County’s history over the years. The award is named for former Monmouth County Clerk Jane G. Clayton, who was responsible for the formation of the Monmouth County Archives.

Much newer to the game is the M. Claire French Award for Leadership in Historic Preservation, established in 2015 by Clerk Hanlon. This award aims to recognize “an elected official, government employee, public servant or civic organization’s outstanding achievements to support historic preservation in Monmouth County through education, development, planning, rehabilitation, advocacy, community leadership or other means.”

Former Monmouth County Clerk M. Claire French. (Photo courtesy Monmouth County)
Former Monmouth County Clerk M. Claire French. (Photo courtesy Monmouth County)

This award is named for Clerk Hanlon’s predecessor, who served from 1997 to 2015.

The awards will be presented at the 24th annual Archives and History Day on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, located at 125 Symmes Drive in Manalapan.

This year’s theme is “Women in Monmouth County,” highlighting female trailblazers whose contributions helped shape the County’s history.

For a nomination form for either award, visit MonmouthCountyClerk.com/Archives.

For more information or to request a nomination form by phone or email, please call 732-308-3771 ext. 3776 or email Shelagh.Reilly@co.monmouth.nj.us.