Preserve America Application

PRESERVE AMERICA

COMMUNITIES PROGRAM: 2005 COMMUNITY APPLICATION

Application Form

1. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

Communities must consult with their State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) during development of this application and send
a copy of the completed application to the SHPO when it is submitted. (Not required for tribal submissions.)

X Check this box to signify that you have done so.

SHPO names and addresses can be found at www.ncshpo.org or by calling (202) 624-5465.

Applications must be submitted in hard copy and will not be returned. Please provide two original copies of all materials
and three to five related images as described on page 4. Model application documents are available
at www.PreserveAmerica.gov/communities.html. Submission well in advance of one of the quarterly
deadlines (March 1, June 1, September 1, December 1) will facilitate timely review.

Submit applications to: Sources of additional information:

Preserve America Communities Office of Preservation Initiatives
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 809 (202) 606-8503

Washington , DC 20004 Web site: www.PreserveAmerica.gov

2. COMMUNITY INFORMATION

All communities, incorporated or unincorporated, and federally recognized Indian tribes are eligible to seek designation as
Preserve America Communities.

City_Wall Township_________________ County __Monmouth______________________ Congressional District ___4th____

State_______ New Jersey____________ Indian tribe_______________________________________ Zip_07719___________- _________

3. APPLICANT INFORMATION

Application for designation can only be submitted by one of the following:

• Mayor or equivalent elected governing official of an incorporated community;

• County executive or equivalent elected governing official of the appropriate jurisdiction of an
unincorporated community; or

• Tribal governing official.

Applicant’s Name __Edward H. Thompson III_____________________________________________Title ____Mayor__

Mailing Address___2700 Allaire Road_____________________________________________________________________

City ___Wall_______________________________ State___New Jersey_____________ Zip __07719_________________

Phone _732 449-8444________________ Fax __732 449-8992__________ E-mail __lkubacz@townshipofwall.com

Shipping Address (if different than mailing address)______________________________________________________________

City ______________________________________ State__________________________ Zip _______________________

Attn ____________________________________ Phone ______________________ E-mail _________________________

For more information, contact __Fred Carl____________________________ Title __Historian______________________

Phone ___732 299-0894______________ Fax _732 449-8992____________ E-mail ___fred-carl@infoage.org__________

PRESERVE AMERICA COMMUNITIES PROGRAM: 2005 COMMUNITY APPLICATION Page 3 of 5

4. DESIGNATION CRITERIA AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

A community will qualify for designation as a Preserve America Community if:

A. The community has supported (within the last three years) a historic or cultural preservation project that promotes heritage
tourism or otherwise fosters economic vitality. The project must have involved a public-private partnership between government
entities and at least one civic association, non-profit organization, or business enterprise. (Please provide a written description
of a specific project, documenting how it fulfills these requirements. Do not exceed 500 words.)

The community of Wall Township has supported and continues to support historic preservation projects.
The Township Committee accomplishes this by direct action, through the Environmental Advisory Committee,
and by enabling and fostering local preservation efforts with partnerships, grants and the in-kind support
of the Public Works Department. The town has also provided legal services, political support and has
saved volunteer preservation efforts.

As example Wall Township enabled the Old Wall Historical Society to restore the Blansingburg Schoolhouse by
funding its relocation to Board of Education property. One of the last remaining one-room school houses,
the volunteer restored building now serves not only as a local tourist stop but also as an education resource
for local schools.

The Wall Township Seal has four images which give homage to historic sites of local, national and international significance located in the town. The preservation of two sites represented on the Seal involves the Camp Evans Historic District. Camp Evans , a former military post, was closed under the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC) in 1993. This long term project, now beginning phase II, promotes heritage tourism, honors the service of WW2 veterans and helps technology education. The Camp Evans Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic places (see http://www.infoage.org/nrhp.html). The management of the site, its preservation and the reuse of the site is under the terms of the NPS approved Preservation and Architectural Plan (see http://www.infoage.org/NPS-web-app.html). Wall Township has authorized a partnership with the Information Age learning Center (InfoAge), a not-for-profit volunteer organization. InfoAge is a consortium of groups including the Monmouth Council of Boy Scouts, the Wall Kiwanis Club, the NJ Antique Radio Club, the Ocean-Monmouth Amateur Radio Club and others that are working to preserve Camp Evans as a tourist destination and a place to host educational programs. Each group has brought their expertise to the site to attract visitors to ensure its long term preservation. As BRAC releases a parcel the center has expanded into the buildings and acreage. Seventeen acres and four buildings were released in 2004 of the thirty-seven acre and sixteen major buildings of the historic district.
This unique time capsule of communications history began its international significant history in 1913 in the days of spark-gap vacuum-tube based wireless. The last Army project left in 1999. The known history includes service as the largest Trans-Atlantic High-powered Wireless Station in the Marconi Corporation Imperial Chain, the WWI Naval Trans-Atlantic Communications center, the first campus of the King’s College, WW2 service as the Signal Corps Radar Laboratory, the birth place of space communications and radar astronomy in 1946, a site Senator Joseph McCarthy visited to find suspected communists, a pre-NASA communications and weather satellite design, testing and tracking center, the birth place of satellite hurricane tracking, cold-war defense research, and a President Regan era “Star-wars” research site. Wall Township has the Preserve America spirit.
These sites with all this history would be lost were it not for the efforts and enabling support of Wall Township

B. The governing body of the community has recently adopted a resolution indicating its commitment to the preservation of its
heritage assets. (Please include a signed and dated copy of the resolution.)

1. September 14, 2005 - Preserve America Resolution
2. March 9, 2005 - WWII Living Memorial Resolution
3. December 10, 2003 - Old Schoolhouse Transfer Resolution
4. March 28, 2001 - Camp Evans Transfer of Historic Surplus Property Resolution

C. The community meets at least five of the criteria outlined below (with at least one from each specified category).
(Please check the criteria below under which you are seeking Preserve America
Community designation. For each criterion, please provide a written description of
no more than 250 words explaining how your community meets the criterion.)

Category 1: Discovering Heritage Through Historic Places

X An ongoing, publicly available inventory of historic properties.

The Environmental Advisory Committee created a historic sites inventory of 77 sites within the township.
The Old Wall Historical Society inventoried and documented the graves in all cemeteries within the town. These
documents are on file available in the Wall Public Library and Monmouth County Historical Association Library.
The Old Wall Historical Society Archive has addition information and recent updates on file. The archive is located at
the Allgor-Barkalow Homestead, 1701 New Bedford Road , Wall Township , NJ 07719

X A community-supported museum, interpretive facility, archive, or local history records collection (private or public).

     Wall Township has two community supported museums which are open to the public on Sundays and for
scheduled school group visits.   The Old Wall Historical society operates the Allgor-Barkalow Homestead and
Blansingburg schoolhouse museums. The homestead is filled with exhibits of period artifacts, the Allgor
general store, Post Office and historic photos. An Archive, genealogical library, issues of local newspapers,
and many old town records are housed in the homestead. The society has restored the school to its 1855
appearance.   Every primary student in the town school system visits as a class trip during second and fourth grades.

At Camp Evans InfoAge and the New Jersey Antique Radio Club operate the National Broadcaster Hall of Fame museum in the Marconi Wireless Station’s Chief Engineers Cottage. The collection and hands on exhibits interpret radio development from its beginnings to the 1930s including the technology and persons behind the advances. Many of the persons and some of the advances highlighted have direct association with the site. In the Station Manager’s Cottage the InfoAge Library and Archive contains primary and secondary source documents related to the sites 93 years of history. Across Marconi Road is the WW2 Living Memorial exhibit with historic photos, period posters and artifacts in the 40 room Marconi Hotel. The site has been designated as a WW2 Living Memorial by resolution of Wall Township , Belmar, Neptune and Monmouth County . Students and families can learn WW2 science and history in the very same buildings key WW2 science and history were made.

X Active citizen volunteer involvement, such as a docent or guide program for interpretation of
local history and culture, or volunteer participation in improving the condition of heritage assets
within the community.

Wall Township has active citizen involvement in improving the condition of heritage assets within the community.
The members of the Environmental Committee are all volunteers. The members of the Old Wall Historical Society
preserved and maintain the Allgor-Barkalow Homestead and the Blansingburg Schoolhouse with considerable
volunteer labor. Members are available each Sunday to interpret local history and period culture in the homestead
and school. A recent matching grant from the Monmouth County Commission enabled structural repairs to the
homestead second floor which had suffered from time and many school group visits.

     The volunteers of InfoAge have returned to service two 1914 Marconi Station cottages, a WW2 sentry post and
a utility shed.   Currently work is ongoing on the 1957 TIROS weather satellite ground control and tracking building,
and the 1957 60-foot diameter TIROS satellite antenna. This antenna and the satellite control center are historic as a
NOAA site where satellite hurricane tracking was born on April 10, 1960. These will become a space science and meteorology education center. InfoAge has been given grants from NASA, the Harris Corporation and the
Wall Kiwanis Club to further the preservation work and reuse the site as a tourist destination and education center.
During weekends volunteers are improving the condition of the Marconi Hotel, administration annex, and
post telephone exchange.   Distant InfoAge members have traveled from New York , Pennsylvania and Maryland
to volunteer. Virtual Volunteers have contributed considerable content to the 1000+ page InfoAge website.

X Opportunities for children to learn about local heritage in the schools, through either established
curriculum or special outreach activities.

The Old Wall Historical Society operates the Allgor-Barkalow Homestead and Blansingburg schoolhouse museums.
The homestead is filled with exhibits of period artifacts, the Allgor general store, Post Office and historic photos.
The society has restored the schoolhouse to its 1855 appearance. Every primary student in the town school system
visits as a class trip during second and fourth grades as outreach activities to give the students a taste of 1855 life.

   To prepare for the schoolhouse visit the 2nd grade teachers have lession plans, work-sheets and coloring books
provided by the Society.   When the classes visit the volunteer society members have a complete 1855 school
day schedule with old time chalk slates for the students to do their period lessions on. They supply suspenders
for the boys, pinafores for the girls and aprons for the teachers. For recess, the all the items necessary and
instructions are provided to play 1875 games. Their lunch is provided in a period metal lunch box.

Category 2: Protecting Historic Resources

X A local governmental body, such as a board or a commission, charged with leading historic
preservation activities within the community.

The Environment Advisory Committee is charged with leading historic preservation by town ordnance 16-4. The Advisory Committee and the Township Committee accomplish much work by enabling, encouraging and supporting the preservation efforts of citizens and not-for-profits. As example, the work of the Old Wall Historical Society and InfoAge whose volunteers have done much to preserve and interpret the towns history. The Committee has given numerous persons, families and small business awards and recognition for historic preservation efforts. The Advisory Committee has come to the aid of the efforts of the volunteer organizations when needed. As example: when the efforts to save Camp Evans were threaten by local Army BRAC officials refusing to replace the sanitary sewer system removed as an environmental precaution the Committee helped the town and Infoage elevate the issue to Congressman Chris Smith, Preservation-NJ and the area news networks. The negative press resulted in the local BRAC officials entering in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to replace the sewer lines within the historic district. In March of 2004 when the BRAC office threatened to auction the historic district Congressman Smith insisted the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) be allowed to participate in the negotiations. NTHP counsel Ms. Betsy Merritt and Township Attorney Mr. Roger McLaughlin convinced the Pentagon BRAC officials a long and protracted struggle lay ahead in the press and in the court if an acceptable compromise could not be reached.

The Environmental Advisory Committee has taken on activities the volunteer organizations had not time or volunteer power to accomplish. Examples are creating and publishing the Historic Site Inventory in 1993 and leading the year long 150^th Wall Township Anniversary Celebration in 2001.

■ An adopted community-wide historic preservation plan that is being implemented.

The community adopted the NPS approved Preservation and Architectural Plan for the Camp Evans
historic district. This is a major undertaking which demostrates a dedication to Preserving American
many communities would not even consider. The State of New Jersey manages the Allaire Park.
The Old Wall Historical Society manages the Allgor-Barkalow homestead and Blansingburg schoolhouse.
The community dedication to historic preservation has shown excellent results without a formal plan.

■ A historic preservation review ordinance and volunteer or professional staff to implement it.

     The community activitists and volunteer organizations have taken action to protect historic properties when
threatened.   The town purchased the Allgor-Barkalow homestead to save it from demolition, the town moved the Blansingburg schoolhouse when it was offered by a private owner in place of demolition, and the town supported
the preservation of Camp Evans. When faced with demolition by neglect and removal of sewer service the
town objected to threats to auction the Camp Evans historic district.   The Township Committee,
the Environmental Advisory Committee engaged the NJ SHPO, PreservationNJ, Congressman Chris Smith,
and the National Trust for Historic Preservation to fight with the Army BRAC office to make sure the
historic buildings were transfered in safe and usable condition.

Category 3: Promoting Historic Assets

X ■ A local heritage tourism program or active participation in a regional program, with such
promotional material as a walking/driving trail or tour itinerary, map of historic resources, etc.

The Old Wall Historical Society and InfoAge promote Wall history in various ways. Old Wall has brochures, regular Journals, historic map reproductions, and offers blankets with selected historic site sewn in. They have published a guide to historic homes and a coloring book of 20 historic sites within the town complete with descriptions, study questions and driving directions to each site. Each township student is given a coloring book in 2nd grade. Students who visit each site to answer the questions receive a certificate.

InfoAge has submitted historic focus articles to the local press and over forty have been published. InfoAge has brochures, a website with over 1000 pages and has sponsored special events. As example on the Saturday, August 13, 2005 InfoAge and State Assemblyman Steve Corodemus dedicated Camp Evans as a WW2 Living Memorial. Old Wall and InfoAge participate in Monmouth County Archives Day. The history of Camp Evans was the topic of the May 2005 edition of the cable TV program – “Talking to Trenton ”. The preservation progress was mentioned in the NPR radio broadcast “Morning Edition” on past New Jersey military base closings by BRAC. An InfoAge member is finishing a 60 minute video titled ‘No Short Climb’ which focuses on the unique Americans with African heritage who were involved in radar development during WW2 and the early days of the cold-war. In September the history and preservation progress at Camp Evans was the focus of a segment of the Cablevision program – Neighborhood Journal

X A regularly scheduled heritage observance or event.

     Besides the celebration of Veterans Day at Town Hall there are a number of regular scheduled heritage
observances and events.   The Old Wall Historical Society celebrates Wall’s Founders Day, sponsor an annual
Civil War Encampment and an antique show and sale. InfoAge and the Ocean-Monmouth Amateur Radio Club
celebrate International Marconi Day and observe the Project Diana anniversary in public events. Marconi
established the Wireless station that was expanded into Camp Evans . Project Diana began space communications
at Camp Evans on January 10, 1946 sparking the international press to speculate on man’s future in space now
that radio and radar was shown capable of breaking the bounds of earth’s atmosphere.

X ■ A historic preservation awards or recognition program.

     The Old Wall Historical Society been the leader in preservation awards and recognition events. The society
has recognized each home over 125 years old with a certificate and a plaque. Each student who completes the
historical coloring book, visits each historic site and answers the questions is awarded a certificate from the society.
     The Environmental Advisory Committee has given numerous persons, families and small business awards and
recognition for historic preservation efforts.

D. Submit three to five images that show people using and enjoying your historic cultural and natural resources (CD with
digital images with a resolution of 300 dpi or greater, 4" x 6" color photographs, or slides) and provide caption and credit
information for each.

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5. ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING MATERIAL

Written endorsements by preservation organizations, civic organizations, members of Congress, and other elected officials are encouraged. (Please provide copies of any letters of endorsement.)

Letter of endorsement from New Jersey's 11th District - Assemblyman Steve Corodemus
Letter of endorsement from 4th Sistrict Congressman Chris Smith to arrive separately.

Documenting participation in other nationwide preservation programs is encouraged. (Please let us know if your community
is a Certified Local Government, a Main Street Community, a recipient of funds under the Save America ’s Treasures
program, a recipient of Transportation Enhancements funding for historic preservation, etc.)

Camp Evans was named a Save America's Treasures site in 1999. Given the first transfer did not occur until
August of 2004 Wall/InfoAge were not eligible to apply for any grant programs.

(Brochures, additional photos, reports, publications, etc. may be appended if desired.)

Wall Township Newsletter - We Can Do it! - Spring/Summer 2005

6. RELEASE AUTHORIZATION

The undersigned gives the ACHP and the Preserve America Communities program absolute right to use, in whole and in part, all material submitted in furtherance of this application. All submitted materials become the property of Preserve America. Materials may be used in program activities, including publications and Web sites. Preserve America is given permission to make any editorial changes and/or additions to the subject material. The undersigned guarantees to have on file all necessary individual agreements and signatures to ensure Preserve America unencumbered use of all associated material.

7. SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT

The elected governing official of the community must sign and date this form.

Signatures must be original and in ink.

Signature ________________________________________________________________ Date __________________________

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