Featured Speakers: Senator Anthony M. Bucco, Commissioner Stephen Shaw, Deputy Mayor William "Bud" Ravitz, and the Office of Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill Herald the Role of Culture in Community

On Wednesday, September 27, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to celebrate the first phase of the Twin Oaks Mansion Historic Preservation Plan at the Morris Museum. Remarks were given by Senator Anthony M. Bucco, Commissioner Stephen Shaw, Deputy Mayor of the Township of Morris William "Bud" Ravitz, and New Jersey Historic Trust Executive Director Dorothy Guzzo.

"The Twin Oaks Mansion preservation project is a partnership of State and County funds that will serve as an economic engine for this museum for years to come. I was proud to support the funding for this project and take part in this groundbreaking event. It is exciting to see the progress of this mansion's restoration," said Senator Anthony M. Bucco. "This project will add to Morris County's rich history and will attract tourists from all age groups and different regions of the state."

The Twin Oaks Mansion is the core of the Morris Museum’s built environment. The institution is honored to receive a Congressional Certificate courtesy of Representative Mikie Sherrill to mark the occasion.

The $978,00 first phase of the Twin Oaks Mansion Historic Preservation Plan includes the replacement of the original slate roof, repairs to the chimneys and dormers, as well as the wood cornice and other exterior features of the fireproof 1913 neo-Georgian Revival, brick-clad home originally built for Peter H. Ballantine Frelinghuysen and his wife Adaline (née Havemeyer) using historically accurate processes and materials. In 1913, the Twin Oaks Mansion was designed and built by the renowned New York-based architecture firm, McKim, Mead & White. It was not only built to be a seasonally occupied country mansion, but also to be fireproof which, was an innovative concept at that time.

“I can only marvel at it all, and train my sights on the work ahead: to make this Museum matter in the lives of many, to return to this property the dignity with which it was born, to secure an accessible conversation on civilization in our own small way,” said the Museum’s Executive Director, Tom Loughman. “Our institution lives in service to not only the millions who live west of the Hudson and north of the Delaware, but also to the myriad cultures worldwide whose story and heritage we hold in public trust for everyone.”

Board Chair Edward von der Linde commented, "I am proud to be a part of this project, which preserves our history. The Morris Museum was founded as a curiosity cabinet at Morristown’s Neighborhood House. Our commitment remains, as it was then, as an educational partner to this community, committed to creating experiences with an understanding of world culture.”

Morris Museum was recently designated within the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Normandy Park Historic District. Phase One of this project has been made possible by generous grants from the New Jersey Historic Trust and the Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund, as well as the Morris County Board of County Commissioners through the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

The Twin Oaks Mansion Historic Preservation Plan was created in 2016 by Margaret Hickey, AIA of Connelly & Hickey (Cranford, NJ); the firm is also superintendent of Phase One. General contractor Alden Bailey (Danbury, CT) commenced work on the site recently.

For more information on the Twin Oaks Mansion Historic Preservation Plan, please go to: morrismuseum.org/twinoaks