Parsippany Buildings Awarded $613K In Preservation Grants

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Two Parsippany historic buildings have been awarded a total of $613,207 in historic preservation grants from the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund. It was one of 21 county sites to receive a grant this round.

The Craftsman Farms Administration Building was awarded $355,143 to renovate the ground floor, including windows, interior plaster, and the steel structure. First build in 1911, the building was originally a garage owned by Gustav Stickley, a leader in the American Arts and Crafts movement. It is registered on the National Historic Register. It was last renovated after a 1950s fire.

The Smith-Baldwin House was awarded $258,064 for the second phase of their restoration (it was awarded a grant in 2017 as well). The money will go towards restoration of woodwork, doors, windows, porch and structural repairs, new barrier-free lift. The house was built in the early 19th century, and was crucial in the development of Troy Village.

A total of $2.1 million in grants were awarded this round. This year, all the applications were approved for grants.

“This historic preservation grant program, which was overwhelmingly approved by county voters, helps to finance the protection our county’s heritage, and helps to ensure that we maintain important links to our past,’’ said Freeholder Director Doug Cabana.

“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.”

To receive a grant, projects just 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.

Since the grants began in 2003, 98 sites in 32 towns have received funds.

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