Morris County Historical Society is pleased to announce the receipt of two 2019 Grants for Historic Preservation from the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders. The Freeholders approved the funding based upon the recommendation of the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund Review Board, which reviewed 29 applications.

  MCHS was awarded $140,980 for construction of Phase I of the roof restoration and structural stabilization of the carriage house. Funds will cover costs associated with replacement of the collar ties, restoration of the original roof and gutter system, restoration of exterior woodwork, including the cupola, and stabilization of the north and south walls.

MCHS was also awarded $10,175 for constructions documents to guide Phase II of the restoration and interior rehabilitation of the carriage house, which will focus on preparing the carriage house to be opened to the public and interpreted as an example of an active and productive gentleman’s farm.

These funds are being combined with funds awarded by the New Jersey Historic Trust in 2017. The combined cost of the Phase I construction project, over $315,000, represents roughly 66% of the total cost of the restoration of the structure. MCHS is extremely grateful to the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust and the New Jersey Historic Trust Fund for supporting the restoration efforts of this unique and historically significant structure.  

Acorn Hall’s carriage house was constructed as part of the Italianate country residence in 1853 and expanded in 1860. It represents a mid-19th century utilitarian carriage house used in the process of farming, orchard tending, and small animal husbandry on the once 9-acre property.

MCHS is located at Acorn Hall, 68 Morris Ave., Morristown, and is open Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays, 1-4 p.m. Admission, which includes the exhibits and landscaped grounds, is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for students, and is free for children under 12 and MCHS members.  For more information, call MCHS at 973-267-3465 or visit the MCHS website: MorrisCountyHistory.org.

MCHS is looking forward to the Carriage House being consistently open and available to the public, for the first time ever, as we continue our efforts to promote and preserve the history of both Acorn Hall and its associated landscape within the context of Morristown and New Jersey.

Founded in 1945, MCHS is a member-supported 501 (c)3 organization whose mission is to preserve and promote the history of Morris County.