WARREN COUNTY BICENTENNIAL CULTURAL & HERITAGE ADVISORY BOARD (2019 to present)

The new Advisory Board was formally established on 22 May 2019 by the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders (now Board of County Commissioners).

Its mission is "to develop programs to promote public interest in local and county history, in the arts, and in the cultural values, goals and traditions of the community, the State, and the Nation' pursuant to the Board of Chosen Freeholders' (as of 2021, Board of County Commissioners) Resolution of May 22, 2019."

The Bicentennial Cultural & Heritage Advisory Board ("Advisory Board") makes recommendations to the County Commissioners regarding the following:

• The establishment of museums, cultural programs, exhibits, and displays including the fine and performing arts;

• The undertaking of archeological, genealogical and historical research;

• The publishing of reports and engaging in such related activities to promote and develop public interest and understanding of historic and cultural matters;

• Regarding the restoration, operation, maintenance and preservation of the museums and historic properties acquired by the County and managed under the County’s Department of Land Preservation.

• Regarding applications for, and acceptance of, any gifts, grants or bequests, including any grants from the Federal Government or any agency thereof, the government of the State of new Jersey or any of its agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, or any foundation, corporation, association or individual for the purposes set forth above;

• Regarding special events and activities that educate the public about Warren County’s bicentennial anniversary and publicly commemorate the 200th anniversary of the establishment of Warren County as a distinct political entity.

WARREN COUNTY CULTURAL & HERITAGE COMMISSION (1972 to 2018) 

The former Cultural & Heritage Commission was established by the Freeholders in 1972 with a mission to promote the history, arts, and cultural values of the citizens of Warren County, the state, and the nation.

The Annual Heritage Festival was at the time, the largest single event during the era of the Commission. It drew in over 5,000 people to the historic village of Oxford on the third weekend in May. 

The Commission was charged with the preservation and restoration of two National Register Historic Sites: Shippen Manor (circa 1754) and Oxford Furnace (circa 1741). Shippen Manor operates as a museum and offices for the Division of Cultural & Heritage Affairs.

The County Arts office at Shippen Manor worked with the former Commission to regrant funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts to county arts organizations to support arts programs. The Commission sponsored annual arts events such as the Teen Arts eXpo, Senior Art Show, Scenic Beauty of the Skylands Photography Show, Fireback Fiddle Festival, Bi-annual Poetry Festival, and Summer Lawn Concerts at Shippen Manor.

The Commission was reorganized in 2018 and formally established in the spring of 2019. By November 2019, it reemerged as the "Warren County Bicentennial Cultural & Heritage Advisory Board."