Morris County has awarded a $62,240 historic preservation grant to help restore two 19th century farm buildings in Denville, part of a countywide package approved this week.
The Morris County Board of County Commissioners approved $4.92 million in grants from the county’s Historic Preservation Trust Fund on July 8, 2026, funding 35 projects across 20 municipalities. The Denville award goes to the Ayres/Knuth Farm Foundation for the Office Barn and Carriage House on the historic Ayres-Knuth Farm complex.
The money will pay for construction documents covering the restoration and rehabilitation of the two structures, including stabilizing and repairing their structural systems. The Office Barn, built around 1885 and once used as an icehouse, was moved to the site in 1936 after the property’s previous barn burned down. The Carriage House dates to about 1850. Both sit on the roughly 1803 Ayres-Knuth Farm, described as one of the most complete 19th century agricultural complexes left in Morris County.
County officials tied this year’s round to the nation’s 250th anniversary. “As Morris County celebrates the 250th Anniversary of our nation’s independence this year, we are reminded of the importance of preserving our heritage,” said Commissioner Thomas J. Mastrangelo, liaison to the Office of Planning and Preservation.
Since voters created the trust fund in 2003, the county says it has awarded more than $61 million to preserve 142 historic sites. Other 2026 awards went to the Mountain Lakes Train Station, the Merci Train Boxcar in Boonton, and the Hibernia Library in Rockaway Township.
Denville has leaned into its history this year, from the return of the Colonial Taverns and Forges walking tour to the anniversary of the town’s 1780 Revolutionary War signal beacon.
