Trust for Architectural Easements Meets With Historic Preservation Advocates in New Jersey

Feb. 17, 2009 - PRLog -- Whippany, NJ -- Representatives of the Trust for Architectural Easements recently met with community members in Morris County, NJ to discuss historic preservation. The Trust, which supports voluntary preservation through the federal historic preservation tax incentive program, currently holds nine easements in New Jersey, primarily protecting row houses in Jersey City.    

Once filled with estates of wealthy New York businessmen, Morris County has been confronted by developments threatening to demolish its historic homes and the surrounding open space.  Incorporated in the 1730s, Morris County remained predominately agricultural until the late 1800s when wealthy businessmen retreated to its scenic solitude for weekends and summers.  As a result, large estates were built, and at the turn of the century more millionaires lived in Morris County than anywhere else in the world.  Eventually taxes on these estates became too expensive and the demand for housing in the county increased, so new, more affordable housing was built.  Today, Morris County is predominately residential, with strong local efforts to preserve its rich architectural history.

The meeting was organized by Dianne Pierce of the Trust for Architectural Easements with assistance from Dan Lincoln, Vice-Chair of the Bernardsville Historic Preservation Advisory Committee and President of the Somerset Hills Historic Association; Wendy Montgomery, Chair of the Harding Historic Preservation Commission; Andrew Passacantando, Chair of the Morris Township Historic Preservation Commission; and Thomas Timpson, Member of the Mendham Township Historic Preservation Committee.

Heather Massler, the Trust’s Director of Operations and Stewardship, discussed the Trust’s mission and support of voluntary preservation through the federal historic preservation tax incentive program.  

The Trust for Architectural Easements is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit organizations dedicated to voluntary preservation through easement donations. The Trust protects more than 800 historic buildings across the United States. For more information about the Trust’s local preservation efforts, the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program and the donation process, please contact the Trust at 1-888-831-2107 or visit www.architecturaltrust.org.

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The Trust for Architectural Easements is one of the nation’s largest non-profit organizations dedicated to voluntary preservation through easement donations. The Trust protects more than 800 historic buildings across the United States.