CONGRESSMAN Chris Smith visits Camp Evans

CONGRESSMAN Chris Smith

Visits Camp Evans

Congressman Chris Smith's visit to the concept center of
Infoage Science-History Center at Camp Evans encourages volunteers.
    On Febuary 25, 2002 Congressman Chris Smith visited the concept center of Infoage Science-History Center at Camp Evans.   As a steadfast supporter of education and veterans issues the Congressman was pleased with the progress the Infoage volunteers had made at the center. The Congressman has been a supporter of the use of Camp Evans for education while preserving its unique and impressive history since 1993 when BRAC 93 was announced.   The Congressman's District Director, Ms. Loretta Charbonneau, represented the Congressman in the many meetings which resulted in the award winning Marconi Park Reuse Plan.
    Congressman Smith and the Director of Infoage first discussed the benefits to the educational community and veterans in 1995 at one of the many public meeting the Congressman holds each year. The development of a science-history center will not only assist education it will also honor the accomplishments of U.S. Army Signal Corps veterans who have done so much in the defense of our nation. The Congressman's office has worked toward a positive outcome for the community as Camp Evans was undergoing environmental remediation.
    The members of Infoage were encouraged and greatful for the Congressman's enthusiastic response to the results of the many hours of work they had volunteed to help get the center established. The Congressman enjoyed the historic photograph exhibit of the Camp Evans early history as a 1912 - 1926 Marconi Wireless Station. He was especially impressed by the 70 page nomination of Camp Evans to the National Register of Historic Places, the two-inch thick application to the National Park Service, Historic Surplus Properties Program for the transfer of the Camp Evans historic district to Wall Township for the science-history center development and the many educational resources the volunteers had gathered for the centers development.

Infoage Director Fred Carl explains the Marconi Station origins of Camp Evans to the Congressman in the former dining room of the 1914 wireless station manager's residence. A display panel built by Bob Judge of Neptune holds an 11-page photo-article announcing the stations opening in 1914 in the American Marconi publication "Wirelese Age".
Mr. Lawrence Tormey (Assistant Director) discusses the centers progess with Ms. Loretta Charbonneau (Congressional District Director). Mr. Tormey, a center founder, has been an integral part of the center's development since its very beginnings.
Ms. Claire French, Infoage Board Member and Monmouth County Clerk, Mary DeSarno of the Congressman's staff listen as the Congressman and Mr. Carl review the many books and other resources the center volunteers have collected to guide the development of the science-history center.
Mr. Carl shows Congressman Smith the bookcase filled with books and videos which relate to Camp Evans 90 year history.

Photos courtesy of Mr. Bob Judge

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