Local landmarks seek historic register listing

JEFF GRANIT staff The Rev. Shannon Vance-Ocampo, associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Rumson, explains the biblical scenes depicted in the stained-glass windows of the church, which has been nominated for listing on the national and state registers of historic places. The Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank and the First Presbyterian Church of Rumson have been nominated for listing on the national and state registers of historic places.

Numa Saisselin, CEO of the Count Basie, located at 99 Monmouth St., said because the theater is 83 years old and is significant to the area, he felt the building deserved to be nominated.

"It's pretty cool to be on the list, because they include major historic places across the country," Saisselin said.

He said the nomination process was extensive and included documenting what's going on with the building and supplying historical materials to prove the building's age.

A decision about whether the two sites will be added to the list could be made at a hearing by the New Jersey State Review Board on Oct. 23.

PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff The First Presbyterian Church in Rumson and the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank are pursuing listing on the national and state registers of historic places. The church sanctuary was built in 1886 and, according to the nomination form, "was constructed in one of America's most original and beautiful architectural styles, the 'Shingle Style.'" The theater was constructed in 1926 as a venue for vaudeville and moving pictures. Saisselin said that although the hearing isn't until Oct. 23, the theater anticipates a positive result.

"The theater is important and we believe we've made the case, so we do anticipate a good outcome," he said.

The Rev. John Monroe, pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Rumson, said the church has been pursuing the historic designation for years.

"We had an architectural firm do a study of the church, and then this summer we had restoration work done," Monroe said.

According to the church Web site, the current sanctuary was built in 1886 and was constructed in "one of America's most original and beautiful architectural styles, the 'Shingle Style.' " It is also one of the first buildings designed by renowned architects Hastings and Carrere, formerly of the New York firm of McKim, Mead, and White.

The Web site states that the firm is best known for its work on the New York Public Library.

"Over the years the congregation has renovated the property, adding a manse in 1905 and an education building with a hall in 1955. The sanctuary, however, has remained untouched in many ways. In 1985- 1986, the exterior of the building was restored, and the pews were removed and refinished along with much of the wood on the interior of the building," the site states.

According to the nomination form for the Count Basie, the building is one of the most significant works of William E. Lehman, a prolific and important Newarkbased architect.

The theater was constructed in 1926 and was originally known as the Carlton Theatre. It remained the Carlton Theatre for 47 years and showcased both live performances and moving pictures. It was sold to the Monmouth County Arts Council in 1973 and in 1984 was renamed the Count Basie Theatre.

In 2004 the theater underwent renovations and the 1,400 seats were replaced with 1,543 historically accurate seats, which returned the theater to its original seating configuration.

The theater is again undergoing renovations and is scheduled to reopen Oct. 30. Renovations will include decorative painting; new carpeting in the theater, the upper lobby and the lower lobby; heating, ventilation and air conditioning work; new chandeliers; and new lighting equipment.

Randall Gabrielan, executive director of the Monmouth County Historical Commission, said nomination is typically a two-step process. Nominees must fill out a short form that provides basic information to ascertain whether the site is eligible.

"If that hurdle is overcome or if the site has already been declared eligible by some other designation, or is widely known as an important site where it doesn't have to go through the eligible clearance step, the applicant goes right to the national register nomination form," said Gabrielan, who has featured both nominated sites in his books on Red Bank and Rumson.

That form requires nominees to justify why the site should be added to the list.

"Both of the sites have significant attributes with respect to their architectural background and their role in local history," he said. "…The important thing is, the owners took the initiative to apply."

According to a letter to Saisselin from the Historic Preservation Office, National and Historic Resources, within the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), listing on both the state and national registers of historic places "provides recognition of the community's historic importance and assures protective review of public projects that might adversely affect the character of the historic property."

Saisselin said the Count Basie has survived financial difficulties, management troubles and bad economies, but members of the community have continued to support the arts venue.

"[The community] already knows it's great, and I think if we're fortunate to get listed on the register, it's one more thing people can be proud of and [it will] keep people coming here," he said.

Monroe said the church, located at 4 East River Road, has been undergoing renovations and an event celebrating the rededication of the sanctuary is scheduled for Oct. 18-19.

Gabrielan said the church was designed by Thomas Hastings and reflects the period in the late 19th century when the Oceanic section of Rumson had some significant summer residential locations.

For more information about the church, visit www.rumsonpresbyterian.org and for more information about the Count Basie, visit www.countbasietheatre.org.

Contact Sharon Leff at

sleff@gmnews.com.