Morristown National Historical Park News Release www.nps.gov/morr
For Immediate Release
Contact: Joseph S. Green, Deputy Superintendent e-mail: joseph_s_green@nps.gov 973-539-2016, extension 217
The National Park Service at Morristown National Historical Park Announces Rehabilitation of Cross Estate Mansion
MORRISTOWN, NJ - Michael D. Henderson, Superintendent of Morristown National Historical Park (NHP), is pleased to announce commencement of rehabilitation work at the Cross Estate mansion (Hard Scrabble House) in the New Jersey Brigade unit of the national park.
On January 6, 2004, Fran Mainella, National Park Service Director, approved a $1.7 million Line Item Construction project to focus on critical deferred maintenance items that compromise protection of cultural resources and life safety.
The rehabilitation project entails repair of deteriorated components of the Cross Estate mansion and park facility maintenance structures. Of the $1.7 million appropriation, approximately $ 600,000 will be applied to rehabilitation of the Cross Estate mansion off of Jockey Hollow Road.
Prepared by the architecture and engineering firm Einhorn, Yaffee & Prescott of New York City, the scope of work for rehabilitation of the mansion includes replacing the entire clay tile roof, weatherproofing foundation walls and patching of all exterior stucco walls. Additional rehabilitation work will repair the exterior wall of the east wing patio, and repair or replace soffits and fascia, gutters, down spouts and roof dormers. Building chimneys will be repaired and patio stones will be re-set.
Superintendent Henderson advised that commencement of work on the old "Hard Scrabble House" and park facility maintenance structures is imminent, and completion is projected for April 2005. During the work, all plantings around the perimeter of the mansion will be protected and preserved.
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The National Park Service purchased the Cross Estate in 1975. Acquisition of the property allowed Morristown NHP to join the isolated New Jersey Brigade area to the main encampment area in Jockey Hollow. Today the grounds provide hiking trails and formal gardens for the public's enjoyment. The buildings on the property serve as office and storage space for the park.
Morristown NHP includes the Washington’s Headquarters unit, Fort Nonsense, Jockey Hollow, and the New Jersey Brigade area. There are approximately 26 miles of walking trails in the Jockey Hollow unit. All park areas are open 362 days a year, seven days a week, from 9 AM - 5 PM. The park is closed Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1. Guided tours of the Ford Mansion are offered daily at 10 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM, and 4 PM.
Morristown NHP’s entrance fee is $4 for individuals 17 years and older. A Morristown Annual Park Pass is available for $15 and is valid for 12 months. For information on additional events at Morristown NHP and other national park sites across the country, visit the website www.nps.gov.
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