Seminary wins grant for building preservation plan

By: David Campbell
   The New Jersey Historic Trust has awarded Princeton Theological Seminary a matching grant of about $50,000, which the seminary will use toward preparing a preservation plan for its historic buildings.
   The seminary has chosen Bridgeton-based firm Watson and Henry Associates as architects for the survey project, which is anticipated to be completed later this spring.
   "We’re really pleased to partner with the trust to create a preservation plan for our entire campus, rather than for simply one building," said Deadra Ashton, the seminary’s director of planned giving.
   The seminary won’t know what future renovation and historic-preservation work will be called for on campus, if any, until the results of the study are in, Ms. Ashton said.
   She said the study will provide a more precise tally of the number of seminary buildings that qualify as historic. She estimated there are perhaps 16 or so on the main campus.
   The survey project will begin with a review of all archival documents related to the institution’s buildings older than 50 years. The survey will include an examination of what the buildings have looked like in the past as well as their past uses and any renovations, said German Martinez, the seminary’s director of facilities.
   The trust helps fund the restoration and conservation of the state’s historic treasures. Since 1990, it has awarded $96.26 million in matching grants to 455 preservation projects.
   The Garden State Preservation Trust and the New Jersey Legislature must approve all projects selected for the grants.