Novak said the society’s members want Howell residents to know they are trying to move forward with renovations at the MacKenzie house. The society has been awarded a $6,400 grant from the Monmouth County Historical Commission, but must raise the same amount to secure that grant, according to Novak. When the structural work has been completed, the society’s members will seek a certificate of occupancy from Howell and then, hopefully, begin to address other issues in the building. (The contractor) is going to set up a system to give us extra support.” Because the ground is sandy and because of the water table, some of the chimneys, the fireplace and other structures have sunk into the ground a little more. Regarding the use of the $5,000 grant, Novak said, “We have been lining up work to have a contractor do a structural reinforcement in the basement.

In February, the society officially took over the building. Bob Novak became president of the new organization in January. In 2019, the Township Council sold the building to the Howell Heritage and Historical Society. Township officials have said the building, which has been closed to public for a number of years, requires more than $150,000 in renovations.Īrtifacts that remain in the building were owned by an historical society that no longer exists. The MacKenzie house was previously owned by Howell and is now owned by the Howell Heritage and Historical Society.

25 gristmill road howell township nj