Morris County Reviews 21 Historic Sites for Preservation Funding

MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. - The Morris County Board of County Commissioners has been urged to approve $3.6 million in grants from the county’s Preservation Trust Fund to aid in the restoration, preservation, and protection of 21 historic sites across 16 towns in Morris County.

The Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund Review Board recommended that 77 percent of the funds be allocated towards construction grants for 12 projects. The remaining 23 percent is intended for non-construction activities at nine other historic sites. These grants will support various initiatives, including design and specification work for future construction on four sites, preservation planning for two sites, a historic landscape plan for one site, assistance with the acquisition of one site, and research and development necessary to nominate another site to the National Register of Historic Places.

“Our historic preservation program has been supported by taxpayers for more than 20 years. While the funding preserves our county’s unique heritage by restoring and protecting the fabric our history, it also supports economic development, tourism and educational opportunities that enhance the overall quality of life of our communities,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, liaison to the Historic Preservation Trust Fund Review Board.

“As Morris County prepares to host the 250th Anniversary of our nation’s independence in 2026, many of the 123 funded historic sites will be on display for visitors to appreciate,” he added.

Jefferson Township is poised to receive its first grant for the Chamberlain House, built in the 1870s in the Second Empire architectural style. This building served as a library from the 1960s until 1982 and now operates as a museum and headquarters for the Jefferson Historical Society. A $16,160 grant has been recommended to complete a Preservation Plan for the Chamberlain House.

“For the application review process, the county historic preservation consultant reviewed 22 applications for conformance to the Secretary of Interior Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties. The (Historic Preservation) board members conducted site visits after final presentations by the applicants, and the review board deliberated on funding recommendations,” said Larry Fast, Chair of the Review Board. “19 of the 21 projects received full funding this year.” 

Since 2003, the Morris County Board of County Commissioners has awarded 533 grants totaling nearly $49 million to support the preservation, protection, and restoration of 123 historic properties across 34 towns.

Key Projects Recommended for Approval:

• Ford-Faesch House, Rockaway Township: An 18th-century Georgian-style house used by Swiss ironmaster Faesch during the Revolutionary War. A $400,000 grant will fund partial interior restoration and roof replacement, including fireplace surrounds, wood flooring, restoration of the main stairs, and a new asphalt shingle roof for the main and east wing roofs.
• Martin Berry House, Landscape Plan: This c. 1720 Dutch Colonial house features a gambrel roof, shallow fireplaces, interior chimneys, thick stone walls, and massive roof framing. Documented through the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1939 and listed on the National and New Jersey Registers in 1973, the house will receive a $31,922 grant to complete a Historic Landscape Report.

The Commissioners are set to make a decision on these recommendations at their next work session meeting scheduled for July 10, 2024.

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