7-18-2023 11:33am

Morris County Commissioners Invest $3.6M to Protect 23 Historic Sites

Morris County's Preservation Trust Fund Surpasses $50 Million Mark in Total Expenditure for Historic Preservation Since 2003.

In a move to safeguard local heritage, the Morris County Board of County Commissioners has approved $3.6 million in grants from the county's Preservation Trust Fund. The grants will aid in the preservation and protection of 23 historic sites spanning 15 towns across the county.

With this allocation, Morris County has spent almost $50 million on preservation efforts at 122 historic sites since 2003. The funding was distributed through 535 grants, some of which were awarded multiple times to the same properties for planning, acquisition, and construction projects.

Commissioner Stephen Shaw, liaison to the Historic Preservation Trust Fund Review Board, praised the diligence of the team involved. “The staff and volunteers do a phenomenal job evaluating these applications and making recommendations on how to invest our dollars," said Shaw.

The Review Board earmarked about 88% of the funds for the construction and refurbishment of 17 projects. The remaining grant money will fund various non-construction activities, including design and specification work for future construction on four sites, preservation planning for one site, and the research required for one property to apply for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

A noteworthy beneficiary of this grant cycle is the Darress Theatre in Boonton Township. First-time funding of $44,400 has been allocated to this historic silent film and vaudeville theatre that's planned to be converted into a regional performing arts center.

Another significant grant of $470,500 will be used for the preservation of the Obadiah LaTourette Grist and Saw Mill in Washington Township. This funding will be pivotal in the stabilization of the Mill's stone foundation, which has been standing strong for nearly three centuries against the flow of the South Branch of the Raritan River.

The Review Board received 23 applications for consideration in 2023, requesting a total of nearly $5.9 million in grants. These applications were evaluated based on the U.S. Secretary of Interior’s “Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties”.

"These are very important federal guidelines set during the historic acts that have been passed since the 1960s," said Larry Fast, Chair of the Review Board.

After assessing the properties in person and hearing final presentations from the grant applicants, the Review Board made their funding recommendations. Of the 23 projects, 12 received the total funding requested for preservation.

Morris County Historical Preservation Trust Fund 2023 Grants

Construction Grants:

Mount Vernon School, Chatham Twp. - Exterior Restoration: $85,650
Ayres Farm Garage, Denville Twp. - Stabilization: $40,000
Samuel Tuttle House, Hanover Twp. - Exterior Repair & Stabilization: $338,300
Phoenix House, Mendham Boro. - Exterior Restoration: $214,029
Scott Farm Barn, Mendham Boro. - Rehabilitation: $129,572
Kountze Mansion, Morris Twp. - Roof Restoration: $50,000
Willows at Fosterfields, Morris Twp. - Phase 2: $270,518
Acorn Hall, Morristown Town - Fence Restoration: $40,500
Morristown & Morris Twp. Library, Morristown Town - Willis Wing Repairs: $232,460
Morristown Community Theater, Morristown Town - Partial Exterior Restoration: $282,280
Woman's Club of Morristown, Morristown Town - Exterior Repairs: $90,480
Seward House, Mount Olive Twp. - Barn Roof Restoration: $417,928
Growing Stage, Netcong Boro. - Stage & Circulation Upgrades: $117,085
Craftsman Farms, Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp. - Log End Restoration: $37,620
Pompton Plains Railroad Station, Pequannock Twp. - Roof Replacement: $205,201
Friends Meeting House, Randolph Twp. - Wall & Fence Restoration: $131,072
Obadiah LaTourette Grist and Saw Mill, Washington Twp. - Foundation Stabilization: $470,500

Non-Construction Grants:

Boonton Main Street Historic District, Boonton Town - Register Nomination: $60,000
Darress Theatre, Boonton Town - Preservation Plan Update: $44,400
Hartley Dodge Memorial, Madison Boro. - Construction Documents: $184,640
Acorn Hall, Morristown Town - Construction Documents: $61,320
Lindenwold, Morristown Town - Construction Documents: $65,765
Mountain Lakes Train Station, Mountain Lakes Boro. - Construction Documents: $30,680

Total for Construction Grants: $3,600,000 for 23 Projects