Acorn Hall’s new colors will harken back to 1880s ‘Gentleman’s Farm’

Acorn Hall
Acorn Hall will be getting some new roofing, along with other renovations, thanks to a grant from the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund.
Acorn Hall is getting a fresh coat of paint, in original colors.
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From the Morris County Historical Society:

After nearly four years of executing major renovation projects with grant support from the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust (MCHPT), Morris County Historical Society will be topping off the restoration of its Acorn Hall headquarters with an exterior repainting that will restore the Hall to its historically accurate 1860-1880 color scheme.

“MCHS is grateful for the continued and substantial support of the MCHPT as we spent the past several years completing the documentation, preparations and construction necessary for this project,” said MCHS Executive Director Amy Curry.

“This project is not only critical to the accurate preservation of the Hall, but it’s also key to understanding the cultural history and evolution of Morristown as a community.”

The cost of the total restoration is nearly $750,000, with $500,000 in MCHPT grants since 2012 supporting the project.

Curry explained the Hall’s original colors reflect the rural nature of the area when Acorn Hall was built.

“As cars whiz by Acorn Hall today, it’s hard to appreciate that this nine-acre property was once a ‘Gentleman’s Farm’,” Curry mused.

The exterior painting comes on the heels of other essential infrastructure projects at Acorn Hall, including the installation of a new slate roof, which was funded by grants from both MCHPT and NJ Historical Commission, construction of new flat roofs and a built-in gutter system, funded by the MCHPT, and a historic finishes analysis, also funded by MCHPT. The results of the finishes analysis were used to determine the Hall’s original exterior color scheme.

Curry noted that when Keystone Preservation Group was testing Acorn Hall’s paint samples, they simultaneously secured a commission at the U.S. Capitol for which they purchased state-of-the-art equipment. Using that new equipment, they reanalyzed Acorn Hall’s samples and were able to get the colors even closer to the original.

“We are very excited about this new era for Acorn Hall – and are most grateful to the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Without the Trust and their continued support, many of our local historical structures would be lost,” said MCHS President Susan Vigilante.

Vigilante also invited MCHS members “and those in the community who share a passion for history” to join the MCHS Board of Trustees on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017, for True Colors: A Celebration of Restoration, a dinner and silent auction at which the new colors will be unveiled.

The event will take place at Meadow Wood Manor, Route 10 E., Randolph, from 6-9:30 pm, and will include dinner, libations, the silent auction, and a presentation by noted Morris County preservationist and historian Janet Foster.

Business attire is requested. Per person tickets are $100 for MCHS members and $150 for non-members, and can be purchased through MorrisCountyHistory.org, or by calling MCHS at 973-267-3465.

Located at 68 Morris Ave., Morristown, Acorn Hall is open Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 am-4 pm, and Sundays, 1-4 pm. Admission, which includes the exhibits and landscaped grounds, is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for students, and is free for children under 12 and MCHS members.

Founded in 1945, MCHS is a member-supported 501 (c)3 organization whose mission is to preserve and promote the history of Morris County.

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