A grant will fund restoration of the roof of the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. RED BANK. - The Count Basie Theatre is one of two New Jersey landmarks that will receive grant funds to continue restoration projects.

Lowe's and the National Trust for Historic Preservation have announced the award of $200,000 - $100,000 each to the Count Basie in Red Bank and Save Ellis Island.

The Count Basie will use the $100,000 grant to help defray the cost of installing a badly needed new roof atop the 80-year-old building. Following installation of the new roof, restoration plans include the construction of a patrons' lounge and the repainting and replastering of the theater's interior. The Save Ellis Island grant will fund restoration efforts at the Ellis Island Ferry Building.

The projects are among 10 grant recipients in six states, also including Delaware, Maine, Mass-achusetts, New York and Pennsylvania.

Funding for the grants was provided by Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation through a $1 million contribution to the National Trust. This is the second year that Lowe's has supported the National Trust for Historic Preservation with a $1 million grant.

"With the support and generosity of our vendors, Lowe's is proud to support efforts aligned with our mission of improving the places where our customers, employees and families live, work and play," said Larry D. Stone, chairman of the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation.

"Focusing on priority projects of the National Trust for Historic Preservation enables us to make dramatic and long-lasting improvements to these communities."

"Red Bank's Count Basie Theatre and Ellis Island's ferry building are both unique and irreplaceable parts of our American heritage, and thanks to the funding from Lowe's, we'll be able to help ensure their preservation for future generations," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Constructed in 1926, the former Carlton Theatre movie theater that is now the Count Basie has served as a hub for creative expression from its earliest days. Known for its sunburst dome and ceiling of 1,000 multi-colored lights, tapestry stage curtain, mural paintings, ornate wall panels and marble staircases, the showplace hosted luminaries such as Cary Grant and Tony Bennett until economic pressures forced it to close in 1970.

Acquired by the Monmouth County Arts Council in 1973, the theater was renamed for Red Bank native William "Count" Basie and today hosts 150 public performances per year - still using its original 1926 stage curtain.

To select grant recipients, the National Trust's Northeast Office held an open competition to identify important historic preservation projects in a 10-state region from Maine to Delaware. The Northeast Office received 171 applications for a total requested amount of $16 million in construction funds.

To be eligible for grants, properties had to be at least 50 years old, open to the public and in need of assistance for bricks-and-mortar work. A selection committee composed of Lowe's and National Trust representatives reviewed applicants' proposals and made the final selections.

The National Trust Northeast Office will work with each of the grant recipients to complete the projects over the next year.

The Lowe's foundation awards more than $3 million annually to diverse organizations across the United States.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit dedicated to protecting the irreplaceable.

The trust was founded in 1949 and provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to save America's diverse historic places and revitalize communities.