Morris County Historical Society Gets Grant for Acorn Hall Project

Published on January 16, 2018

FOR ACORN HALL FOUNDATION STABILIZATION

Every building needs a strong foundation. That includes Morris County Historical Society's Acorn Hall. Since 1971, MCHS has been preserving and interpreting Morris County's rich heritage within Acorn Hall, a building in Morristown that is now in the midst of several major restoration projects.

(PNG, 58KB)Restoration includes repainting Acorn Hall's exterior to its original 1860-1880 paint scheme, and also repainting Acorn Hall's carriage house. This work, funded in large part by State and County grants and part of a multi-phase, multi-year restoration of the entire six-acre property, will be additionally supported by a $9,300 grant from the New Jersey Cultural Trust.

The latest grant will be used to help finance the stabilizing and repointing of the structural foundation elements on the northern elevation of Acorn Hall, under the large rear porch.

One of the most-often enjoyed spaces on the property, the porch is protected by the elements and overlooks the Hall's landscaped grounds and formal gardens, planted and maintained by the Home Garden Club of Morristown and Rutgers Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program.

Healthy foundation elements are fundamental to overall structural integrity, states Amy Curry, MCHS executive director. MCHS uses Acorn Hall's back porch regularly nearly six month of the year; it's an integral space for warm weather events, programs, meetings and workshops.''

Preserving our history adds to the quality of life in Morris County, and allows us to understand our great heritage,'' said Freeholder Christine Myers, the county governing board's liaison on preservation issues.

In December, 2015, MCHS installed an ADA-accessible brick pathway from Acorn Hall's driveway to the back gardens and a large brick patio at the bottom of the porch steps. This path not only allows more visitors to safely access both the property and gardens behind Acorn Hall, but facilitates their participation in initiatives held in the rear yard.

This space and its proper care and maintenance are extremely important to MCHS and Acorn Hall because they significantly impact how MCHS can use the porch and how guests can enjoy the property and our event offerings, Curry said.(PNG, 9KB)

The foundation stabilization and repointing work is scheduled to be completed in time for summer 2018 enjoyment.

Located at 68 Lafayette Ave., Morristown, Acorn Hall is open Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 am-4 pm, and Sundays, 1-4 pm. 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.

Founded in 1945, MCHS is a member-supported organization whose mission is to preserve and promote the history of Morris County. The MCHS receives operating funds from the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey Historical Commission, and project/preservation grant funding from the New Jersey Historic Trust, 1772 Foundation, and Morris County Historic Preservation Trust.