Historic Long Valley Saw Mill To Be Preserved With County Grant Funds

LONG VALLEY, NJ — A historic landmark in Washington Township will take another step toward preservation after receiving funding through the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

The Obadiah LaTourette Grist and Saw Mill was awarded a $25,000 non-construction grant to prepare construction documents, one of 35 historic preservation projects funded across Morris County this year.

The grant, approved by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, is part of $4.92 million in preservation funding supporting projects in 20 municipalities. About 86 percent of this year's funding will go toward construction work at 16 historic sites, while the remainder will fund planning, construction documents, preservation studies and one acquisition project.

For the Washington Township project, the funding will be used to prepare the technical documents needed before future restoration work can move forward at the historic mill. The planning phase is often a prerequisite for larger preservation grants and construction efforts.

"Morris County has now awarded more than $61 million from our Preservation Trust Fund to restore and preserve 142 historic sites since 2003, when voters overwhelmingly supported dedicating a fund to protect our important historical resources," Commissioner Thomas J. Mastrangelo, liaison to the Office of Planning & Preservation, said in a statement.

He thanked the members of the Historic Preservation Trust Fund Review Board and county staff for evaluating projects and administering the grant program.

"As Morris County celebrates the 250th Anniversary of our nation's independence this year, we are reminded of the importance of preserving our heritage, not only because of Morris County's deep roots in the American Revolution, but also because of the local people and places that played significant roles in our great nation's evolution throughout history," Mastrangelo said.

The Obadiah LaTourette Grist and Saw Mill is one of Washington Township's best-known historic sites, reflecting the area's agricultural and industrial past. The new grant will help position the property for future restoration by funding the development of construction documents needed before rehabilitation work can begin.