Grant provides funds to expand historical cruises aboard Floating Classroom

December 02, 2021| Arts & Culture, Education

By: Donna Macalle-Holly

Historical cruises aboard the Lake Hopatcong Foundation Floating Classroom will be expanded in 2022, thanks to a COVID-19 Response Grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. The project grant awarded will support educational historical cruises, during which, passengers will learn about the indigenous people who first lived along the shores of the lake, the importance of the Morris Canal and how Lake Hopatcong was its most important water source, the lake's rise as a northeast resort mecca, how the lake was a magnet for the rich and famous in the early 20th century, the birthplace of the area's first roller coaster at the beloved Bertrand Island Park, and much more.  Details on these historical cruises will be provided in the coming months and tickets will be available through our website.

The New Jersey Council for the Humanities has been a generous supporter, providing funding, which enables us to share in the exploration of our history, values, and culture.  We are truly appreciative and thankful for their unwavering assistance in support of our work. 

COVID-19 Response Grants from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities

The New Jersey Council for the Humanities (NJCH) recently awarded $1,003,297 in COVID-19 Response Grant funding to ninety-six organizations. The COVID-19 Response Grant program provides funding opportunities for New Jersey nonprofit organizations that produce humanities programming for public audiences. 

As part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP), approved by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Joseph R. Biden, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) received $135 million in supplemental funding to respond to and recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Forty percent of those funds were allotted to the national network of nonprofit state humanities councils, including the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.

Public humanities programming allows individuals to engage in lifelong learning and share in the exploration of history, values, cultures, and beliefs. NJCH supports and acts as a resource for cultural and service-oriented nonprofit partners as they bring the public humanities to the residents of New Jersey.

The New Jersey Council for the Humanities is a nonprofit state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. NJCH harnesses the power of the humanities to strengthen a pluralistic society. They work statewide with cultural and community organizations to bring dynamic programming to the local level.

Historical cruises aboard the Lake Hopatcong Foundation Floating Classroom in 2022 are supported by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through the American Rescue Plan Act. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed during the cruise do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.