The Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission is dedicated to the education of our community about the value of its historical heritage. It actively encourages heritage preservation, supports historic research, and interprets and presents information and objects of historical importance. The Cultural and Heritage Commission is responsible for two restored historic sites in the County. The award winning Cornelius Low House (Museum) presents original exhibits about state and local history, with related school, outreach, and public programs. The Village, with its collection of 18th and 19th century structures, functions as an educational model teaching history and traditions of the Raritan Valley and surrounding areas.

The Commission encourages project applications and staffing initiatives from local historical organizations and museums. The Commission supports programs relating to New Jersey as presented by local groups and preservation organizations and others incorporated as not-for-profit or part of a municipal government, if they are based in Middlesex County. The Commission is particularly interested in projects that are innovative, represent non-traditional collaborations, or which include interpretation of the roles played by women and diverse populations. Further, projects that address underserved populations are of high priority. History Grants are made possible by funding from the New Jersey Historical Commission/Department of State, and the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission/Board of Chosen Freeholders.

The Commission's full-time History Services Coordinator is available to all grant recipients and Middlesex County groups needing technical assistance. In addition, technical workshops are offered with consultants and experts in areas such as grants writing, historic preservation planning, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), non-profit management, conservation and more. And, our free distribution system can help "get the word out" about your public history project.

The Commission is a leader in the dissemination of historical information. A countywide survey of historic properties and sites potentially eligible for the State and National Registers is available for review and research, compiled and presented on a town by town basis. Our East Jersey Olde Towne Village in Piscataway and the library of the Commission's main office on Jersey Avenue in New Brunswick, collectively house an archive and lending library of over 700 volumes. These are carefully selected publications on New Jersey history, historic site development, non-profit governance and public museum management, among other topics. The Village also provides a free public access computer, with connection to the Internet, and book marked with cultural sites for you to explore.

Our Cultural Directory is a listing of Middlesex County groups that provide history and arts programming. To view a selection of groups outside of Middlesex County, please visit our Links page