In 1995, the Discover NJ History License Plate was established by the New Jersey Historic Trust to support historic preservation activities within the State. The mission of the Trust is to advance historic preservation in New Jersey for the benefit of future generations through education, stewardship and financial investment programs that save New Jersey’s rich heritage and strengthen its communities. Nearly 25 years later, the Discover NJ History License Plate Fund is still serving the community by developing and promoting visitor ready sites as heritage tourism destinations.

Featured on the Discover NJ History License Plate is a painting of a Victorian-style row house located in Lambertville, created by New Jersey artist Harry Devlin (1918-2001). Devlin was born in Jersey City and was a notable artist, painter, and cartoonist. During his lifetime, Devlin won several National Cartoonist Society Advertising and Illustration Awards. His paintings were dedicated to architecture with an emphasis on Victorian architecture. Devlin even published a book entitled Portraits of  American Architecture: Monuments to a Romantic Mood. During his later years, Devlin resided in the Borough of Mountainside where he was a member of the Mountainside Restoration Committee, the New Jersey Committee for the Humanities, a trustee of the Morris Museum, Vice-Chairman of President Eisenhower’s “People to People” committee, and President of the National Cartoonist Society, just to name a few. Today, the Hetfield House in Mountainside proudly displays Devlin’s painting entitled Queen Ann Spring, unveiled on his 100^th birthday on March 22, 2018.[i]

The Discover NJ History License Plate Fund is supported by income from sales and renewals of the Discover NJ History License plate. To purchase a Discover NJ License Plate there is a one-time fee of $50 with a $10 annual renewal. If you wish to personalize your plate with up to five characters, the fee is $100 with a $10 annual renewal. Plates may be purchased online from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission or ask your dealership when purchasing a new car! The Discover NJ History License Plate Fund has helped support several notable projects such as Camden County’s Heritage Tourism Plan, produced by the Camden County Historical Society and winner of a Grand Jury Award, and Maplewood’s feature in season three of Drive By History. Discover NJ History License Plate applications are accepted at any time through the fiscal year, July 1-June 30, or until the annual allocation has been exhausted.

Will you help preserve New Jersey’s history? Follow the New Jersey Historic Trust on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as they preserve the State’s valuable historic resources.

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[i] Mountainside Restoration Committee, April 2018. Harry Devlin-Mountainside’s Artist Treasure. The Hetfield & Levi Cory Houses, 1-2.