Dr. Cooke's Medical Office Gets Some TLC

The Holmdel Historical Society has been awarded a $1,500 grant from the Monmouth County Historical Commission for chimney repair at the Dr. Cooke Medical Office on McCampbell Road. 

Society President George Joynson said he was grateful for the money, which will pay for 50% of the work. He hopes to have the work done in time for the Open House all weekend long during Monmouth County’s Weekend in Old Monmouth, May 5 and 6.  

"The chimney repair should seal off the leaks, and the exterior painting will help preserve it and make it look better," said Joynson. "The reception room ceiling has water stains from the chimney leak, so if the repairs work, we hope to get the ceiling painted too."

The Historical Society will use dues, donations, and profit from small item sales, to cover the other 50% cost of the job, said Joynson. The work will be done by local contractors. Marco’s Masonry of Aberdeen will do the chimney repair,  and Voorhees & Crane Painting of Holmdel will paint. 

To secure the grant, Joynson had to submit three written estimates for each job, along with detailed explanations, color photographs and ten copies of the entire file for each commissioner to review. 

"During these difficult economic times, it is not easy to raise money for historic building maintenance," said Joynson, who is a volunteer. "Holmdel Historical Society is very appreciative of the help afforded by the grant from the Monmouth County Historical Commission with the support of the Monmouth County Freeholders," he said. 

Dr. Cooke (1797-1867) built his medical office in 1823, when Holmdel was still known as Baptisttown, according to the Historical Society's webpage. His unique medical office was the first building to be used exclusively as a medical clinic and may be the oldest medical office in New Jersey.  On January 18, 2011, the US Department of Parks approved Dr. Cooke's Medical Office Building to the National Registry of Historic Places. 

The 2011 Preservation Grant recipients are:

• Atlantic Highlands
  Atlantic Highlands Historical Society - Porch Restoration, Phase 6 - Roof, $6,000
• Avon
  Borough of Avon By The Sea - Pavilion - Phase V Restoration, $4,000
• Belmar
  Belmar Historical Council - Union Firehouse - Phase 2 $5,000
• Eatontown
  Mt. Zion AME Zion Church - Window Restoration $4,000
• Holmdel
  Holmdel Historical Society - Dr. Cooke Office, Chimney Repair & Painting $1,500
• Long Branch
  Long Branch Historical Museum Assn. - Church of Presidents, North Wall Siding $7,400
• Middletown
  Old First Church - Façade Restoration $5,000
• Middletown
  All Saints Memorial Church - Exterior Minor Repairs and Painting, $6,500
• Millstone
  Township of Millstone - Structural Repairs to Former Church  $6,000
• Neptune
  Historical Society of Ocean Grove - Restoration of Memorial Vase Structure  $800
• Neptune
  Ocean Grove Historic Preservation Society Inc. - Basement Windows $4,000
• Red Bank
  Woman’s Club of Red Bank - Exterior Restoration of South Elevation $6,500
• Shrewsbury
  Shrewsbury Monthly Meeting - Phase VII: Second Floor Windows (4) $5,000
• Shrewsbury
  Christ Church - Exterior Painting $4,000
• Shrewsbury
  Monmouth County Historical Association - Smokehouse Restoration $3,000
• Tinton Falls
  Borough of Tinton Falls - Second Story Ceiling Repairs $2,000