Historic Preservation Board Recommends 25 Projects for 2017 Grants to Morris County Freeholders

Published on July 01, 2017

PROJECTS IN 15 MORRIS COUNTY TOWNS WOULD GET $2.9 MILLION IN 2017 FUNDING

The Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund Review Board today recommended $2.9 million in county grants from the county's 2017 Preservation Trust Fund to help preserve, restore, or protect 25 historic sites in 15 towns across Morris County.

(JPG, 60KB) South Street Presbyterian Church

The recommendations, made to the Morris County Board of Freeholders in Morristown, included grants ranging from $2,746 for the Women's Club of Morristown headquarters building to $283,560 for the South Street Presbyterian Church in Morristown and $280,401 for the Museum of Early Crafts and Trades in Madison.

The freeholders, who were briefed on the projects today by Review Board Chairwoman MaryAnna Holden, will make a final decision on the grant recommendations at their July 26 public meeting in Kinnelon.

The grant money comes from the voter-approved Morris County Open Space, Farmland, Floodplain Protection and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. Thirty applications were received this year seeking $3.7 million in historic grants.

(JPG, 103KB) Museum of Early Crafts and Trades

Of the 25 recommended grants, 17 are construction grants while the other eight are for non-construction purposes, such as planning or construction documents. View the entire list of recommendations(PDF, 172KB).

Multiple awards were recommended for various historic projects in Morristown, Roxbury, Madison, Mountain Lakes, and Washington Township. Recommendations also were made for projects Denville, Dover, Hanover, Kinnelon, Mount Olive, Netcong, Parsippany, Rockaway Borough, and Wharton.

(JPG, 94KB) Morris County Freeholder Director Douglas Cabana

These preservation funds, overwhelmingly approved by county taxpayers, help finance the protection our county's heritage, to ensure that we maintain important links to our past,'' said Freeholder Director Doug Cabana.

(, 0B) Freeholder Christine Myers

The restoration and preservation work done with the help of these grants allows future generations to enjoy and treasure these historic sites, to allow us to better understand our county's history and preserve our roots, and to enhance the quality of life for all residents of Morris County, '' added Freeholder Christine Myers.

The dedicated people working to preserve our links to the past, provide lessons for the present and ensure an inheritance for the future deserve our sincere thanks,'' said Ray Chang, Historic Preservation Program Coordinator for Morris County. Their efforts, supported by these grants, ensure that our county's heritage and architectural legend are sustained.

Awards are recommended for projects that best meet the program's evaluation criteria in categories of construction, preservation planning, and creation of construction documents.

(JPG, 167KB) St. Peter's Church in Mountain Lakes

These criteria include the historic significance of the resource, relationship of the project to community revitalization, preservation of the built or natural environment, and heritage education and tourism.

Other factors include the degree to which projects promote preservation activity, represent innovative design, reach new audiences, offer significant contributions to the advancement of historic preservation; and restoration, rehabilitation, and adaptive use plans of historic buildings and cultural landscapes.

Historic Preservation Trust Fund Review Board Chairwoman Mary Anna Holden explained there were detailed reviews of all projects, including site visits, and that decisions were made on funding after lengthy debate and discussion by the entire board.

Some projects recommended for funding this year, include:

• South Street Presbyterian Church, Morristown, $283,560: The parish house, built in 1878 as the South Street Presbyterian Church, was designed by architect J. Cleveland Cady. The 1.5 story brownstone building with a dominant 3-story tower contributes to the Morristown Historic District. This grant will provide for exterior restoration, including the replacement of the bell tower roof.
• Museum of Early Crafts and Trades, Madison, $280,401: This 1900 Richardsonian Romanesque building, originally constructed as the Madison Public Library, is listed on the New Jersey Register and contributes to a National Register historic district. It has been home to the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts for almost half a century. The grant will provide for Phase 4 exterior preservation, including masonry repointing and replacement of the remaining slate roof.
• Peter's Church, Mountain Lakes, $261,848: The Gothic Revival Church was erected in 1826 with a parish hall added in 1955. The rectory is a Hapgood residence constructed with Craftsman style influences in 1916. All buildings are contributing resources in the Mountain Lakes National Register Historic District. This grant will provide for replacement of the church building slate roof and replacement of the storm water drainage system.

(JPG, 30KB) Smith-Baldwin House in Parsippany

• Smith-Baldwin House, Parsippany-Troy Hills, $222,449: The early 19th Century Federal and Greek Revival house contributes to the Troy Historic District, and its additions reflect the development of the village. A National Register designation is pending review. This grant will provide for exterior rehabilitation, including removal of aluminum siding, restoration of underlying wood siding, restoration and selective replacement of windows, and structural repairs.
• Seward House, Mount Olive, $195,960: An Italianate style farmhouse constructed about 1800, with an 1860 addition, sits on 270 acres of parkland and is unoccupied. The building is listed on both the National and New Jersey Historic Registers. This grant will provide for Phase 1 exterior restoration, including structural reinforcement of framing, restoration of a slate roof, chimneys, cupola and cornices.

  (JPG, 169KB) Lake Hopatcong Train Station

• Lake Hopatcong Train Station, Roxbury, $160,000: This 1911 train station is in the Jacobean style. Train passengers could transfer to steamboats connecting to the Morris Canal or take a trolley to Bertrand Island Park. The building is included in the 2016 Morris Canal Historic District. This grant will provide for the rehabilitation of interior rooms and the restoration of windows.

Other projects recommended for grants include, Denville, Ayres Farm House; Dover, Dr. Condict House; Hanover, Whippany Burying Yard; Kinnelon: L'Ecole Kinnelon Museum; Madison, Hartley Dodge Memorial; Morristown, Acorn Hall, Church of the Assumption, Loyola Gate House, Woman's Club of Morristown; and Netcong, the Growing Stage.

(JPG, 77KB) Dr. Condict House in Dover

Also recommended for grants are Mountain Lakes, Community Church of Mountain Lakes; Pequannock, Martin Berry House; Rockaway Borough, Fox's Brook Culvert; Roxbury, Ledgewood Baptist Church, and King Homestead Museum; Washington Township, Union School House and Zion Lutheran Church; and Wharton: Morris Canal Lock 2 East.

County voters in 2002 approved an amendment to the county's Preservation Trust Fund to include the acquisition and preservation of historic sites and facilities.

Since 2003, when the first grants were awarded, 85 sites or resources in 32 Morris County municipalities have received funding assistance.

For more information on Morris County's historic preservation program, please visit: http://www.morrisplanning.org/divisions/PresTrust/Historic/index.asp

Historic Preservation 2017 - list(PDF, 356KB)

Historic Preservation 2017 - table(PDF, 172KB)