Morris County Heritage Commission

Popular

Visit their website here!

The Heritage Commission ensures the preservation of historical information and provides resources to increase awareness of the people, places, and events that have given our area a special place in the history of New Jersey and America. Enjoy exploring Morris County's many historic communities, parks, archives, museums, and libraries!

Morris County Heritage Commission is an advisory body of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners.

On behalf of the Commissioners, the Morris County Heritage Commission facilitates understanding and preservation of Morris County’s diverse history by:

Promoting awareness of Morris County’s heritage and acknowledging our cultural diversity through education and appropriate communications such as publications, exhibits, and public programs.
Maintaining the Morris County Archives as well as ensuring their preservation and accessibility.
Providing advice and support to local historical and historic preservation groups in Morris County.

The Heritage Commission was created in 1970 pursuant to the state law authorizing county cultural and heritage commissions. Morris is one of two counties in New Jersey with a separate heritage commission. The official arts agency of the county is the private non-profit Arts Council of the Morris Area.

The Heritage Commission’s nine members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners and serve without compensation for five-year terms.

Heritage Commission Sites & Exhibits

Morris County has had a historic site marker program in place since 1975. Over 140 historic sites now have their significance briefly described on cast aluminum signs painted in burgundy and pale grey with the county seal in gold. These sites weave together the threads of Morris County’s history from the colonial era through the twentieth century. Locations marked include forges, iron works, taverns, schools, mills, historic districts, churches, homes, and mansions.

The Heritage Commission also features mini-exhibits in display cases in the County Administration and Records Building in Morristown and at the Morris County Library, 30 East Hanover Ave, Whippany, NJ. Other county historical organizations help prepare some of these exhibits.