Contact the NJ State Archives
Mailing Address:
NJ State Archives
P.O. Box 307
Trenton, NJ 08625-0307

Office Address:
225 West State Street - 2nd Floor
Trenton, NJ

Contact Information

Email: Feedback@sos.nj.gov

State Historical Records Advisory Board

SHRAB logo

The State Historical Records Advisory Board was established in 1975 to serve as the central advisory body for historical records planning in the state, and as a conduit and review body for grant projects funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) in support of archival and records management programs. The New Jersey State Archives provides necessary administrative support for the board, and the Chief of the Archives serves as the board's coordinator ex-officio. Members are representatives of public and private archival and research institutions, appointed by the Governor to three year terms under authority of the Code of Federal Regulations (36 C.F.R. 1206.30-.34)

Strategic Plan

In October 2001, the board published its Strategic Plan to Improve the Preservation, Collection, and Use of New Jersey Historical Records, culminating a sixteen-month planning process, funded principally by NHPRC. The project collected data on record repositories throughout the state, conducted public hearings and focus-group sessions for interested parties, and ultimately produced a five-year strategic plan for improving the conditions and access of historical records in the state. The plan now guides the board in formulating priorities for its own future grant applications to the NHPRC and in reviewing proposals submitted by New Jersey archives and manuscripts repositories.

Board Members

KaNeng Au
Ronald L. Becker
Ingrid Betancourt
Lois Densky-Wolff
Maria Estratiades
Joseph Klett
Joan Lowry
Maxine Lurie

Lisa Mangiafico
Marc Mappen
L. Dale Patterson
Ben Primer
James Turk
Isha Vyas
Ethel Washington

Council of State Archvists

New Jersey’s State Historical Records Advisory Board maintains a vital connection to boards in other states through the Council of State Archivists (CoSA), a national organization comprising the individuals who serve as State Historical Records Coordinators and their deputies. The Coordinators chair SHRABs in each of the 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia.

Working collectively through their membership in CoSA, the State Coordinators encourage cooperation among the states and state boards on matters of mutual interest, define and communicate archival and records concerns at a national level, and work with the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) and other national organizations to ensure that the nation's documentary heritage is preserved and accessible.

In 2004 and 2005, CoSA conducted an in-depth survey and assessment of state archives and records programs and the state historical records advisory boards in each state and territory. This project will build on previous surveys and reports conducted by CoSA and other organizations to document current conditions and needs. It will also be used to create a system for regularly assessing state archival programs, measuring progress and effectiveness, and articulating a national strategic direction to ensure preservation of and access to our nation's historical records. The project is supported by a grant from NHPRC.

National Historical Publications & Records Commission Grants

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), a statutory body affiliated with the National Archives and Records Administration(NARA), supports a wide range of activities to preserve, publish, and encourage the use of documentary sources, created in every medium ranging from quill pen to computer, relating to the history of the United States. Congress established the NHPRC grants program to promote the preservation and use of America's documentary heritage.

For New Jersey grant applications to the NHPRC, the New Jersey State Historical Records Advisory Board (NJSHRAB) will provide state-level reviews and funding recommendations. Under some circumstances, applications may not require review by NJSHRAB, but potential applicants should verify that with the State Coordinator or NHPRC staff as early in the grant-writing process as soon as possible.

The NJSHRAB is charged by NHPRC with setting statewide priorities for applications from New Jersey. The board makes this information available on request to all potential applicants through this web site and through printed versions available from NJSHRAB.

Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss their NHPRC project ideas with NJSHRAB staff or request informal review of draft proposals by contacting NJSHRAB at:

New Jersey State Historical Records Advisory Board
225 West State Street, PO Box 307
Trenton, NJ 08625-0307
Telephone: (609) 292-6260
Fax: (609) 292-9105

Information on the NHPRC grant program