JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — Two historic properties in Jefferson Township are among thirty-five projects across twenty municipalities receiving nearly five million dollars in historic preservation grants approved by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners.
The Chamberlain House was awarded $307,680 for the first phase of exterior restoration work, the largest construction grant awarded to a Jefferson Township property in this funding round.
The George Chamberlain House, 315 Dover-Milton Road, was favorably received by the State Review Board for Historic Sites. It was entered into the New Jersey Register of Historic Places on September 3, 2009.
Camp Jefferson, formerly known as Camp Ranger and later Camp Clifton, was awarded $101,800 to support preparation of a Preservation Plan and a National Register nomination. The camp was founded as Camp Ranger in 1926 after the purchase of thirty-three acres by the Boy Rangers of Montclair and Glen Ridge, a predecessor organization to the Cub Scouts. The property was later owned by the Boys’ Club of Clifton from 1962 to 1994 and renamed Camp Clifton.
Both projects were recommended for funding by the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund Review Board following its annual review process.
“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,” said Commissioner Thomas J. Mastrangelo, liaison to the Office of Planning and Preservation. “We thank the members of the Preservation Trust Fund Review Board and our Office of Planning and Preservation staff for their hard work in selecting the most worthy projects for support and providing this important benefit to county residents.”
“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,” he added.
Since its inception, the county’s Historic Preservation Trust Fund program has helped protect Morris County’s historic resources while creating opportunities for heritage tourism, supporting economic development, and increasing public awareness of the county’s rich historic character.
Today, the George Chamberlain House serves as the Jefferson Township Museum, operated by the Jefferson Township Historical Society. It offers free public tours (first Sunday of each month, April–December, 1–4 p.m.) with costumed docents in period attire. The museum also features the Miss Elizabeth’s Garden and the Miss Elizabeth’s Shoppe (formerly the home’s kitchen)
