PARSIPPANY — The Mount Tabor Historical Society is pleased to announce that a ceremony unveiling the National Register Marker commemorating the listing of the Mount Tabor Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places was held on Sunday, March 19.
Several dignitaries were present to congratulate the Mount Tabor Historical Society on this great achievement including Morris County Freeholder Christine Myers, Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio, Parsippany Council Vice President Robert Peluso and Council member Loretta Gragnani, Parsippany Town Historian Randy Tortorello and Camp Meeting Association President Richard Morgan. Also attending the unveiling ceremony were Mount Tabor Historical Society members and other community residents.
Mount Tabor Historical Society President Michelle LaConto Munn had the honor to unveil the newly placed National Register Marker located in a garden near the post office parking on Simpson Avenue. A reception was held immediately following in the Bethel Pavilion.
The listing marks a major milestone for the community and those involved in the nomination process, which started in January of 2011 with the assistance of grants from the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust to help fund the creation of a Mount Tabor Historic Preservation Master Plan and a National Register Nomination. This nomination required extensive research and documentation over several years utilizing a team of historic preservation specialists and historic architects overseen by HMR Architects. Educational outreach was provided through a series of meetings, programs and speakers presented to the public by the Mount Tabor Historical Society.
The Mount Tabor Historical Society decided to seek listing on the National Register as a public benefit to the community. Michelle LaConto Munn, president of the Society, headed the effort on behalf of the group . “I am so honored to have had a part in getting Mount Tabor its due recognition as being historically significant to our state and nation. I hope it will increase awareness and appreciation of our lovely historic community.”
The Mount Tabor Historic District was officially listed on the New Jersey Register on January 8, 2015, and approved for listing on the National Register for Historic Places on March 3, 2015.
Founded in 1869, the Mount Tabor Historic District embodies the distinctive characteristics of a permanent Methodist Camp Meeting Ground that evolved into a summer resort community and therefore possesses significance in community planning and development. Another area of significance is its architecture. Particularly of note are the early camp meeting Stick-Style and Gothic Revival influenced cottages with their prominent steep gables, open porches and elaborate gingerbread embellishments.
The National Register is administered by the National Park Service, and is the country’s official list of United States historic sites considered worthy of preservation. The Register honors the district by recognizing the historical significance to its community, state and nation.
The Mount Tabor Historic District consists of 130 acres of a wooded hill in the western part of Parsippany-Troy Hills Township on the border with Denville Township and has a total of 229 buildings.
There are benefits associated with listing on the National Register, including: the eligibility of non-profits to qualify for historic preservation grants, and the ability to take advantage of the New Jersey Rehabilitation Subcode which incorporates certain code allowances outside the traditional building code to encourage the preservation of historic buildings. Additionally, a review process ensures that state and federally funded projects in the district comply with federal and state laws by exploring ways to avoid, minimize and offset any negative effects to properties or districts listed on the National Register.
It is important to point out that Mount Tabor’s listing on the National Register does not place any restrictions whatsoever on homeowners’ use or maintenance of their property. This is a common misconception about being on the National Register.
The Mount Tabor Historical Society, along with HMR Architects, was honored to receive the 2013 New Preservation Initiatives Award from Preservation New Jersey in recognition for outstanding achievement for the preparation of the Mount Tabor Historic District Preservation Master Plan. This massive project defined the district through comprehensive survey and evaluation of the boundaries and period of significance, while helping to build public support for the state listing. The report also included design guidelines to assist homeowners interested in historically appropriate repairs.
Six years after the process began, it is gratifying that the historical significance of this neighborhood is thoroughly documented and officially recognized with an historic marker. The hope is that this recognition creates more awareness and sensitivity to the unique historical characteristics that contribute to making Mount Tabor such a special place to live.
Attending the unveiling of the Mount Tabor Historic District National Register Marker are from left: Parsippany Historian Randy Tortorello, Council member Loretta Gragnani and Parsippany Council Vice President Robert Peluso, Mount Tabor Historical Society President Michelle LaConto Munn, Morris County Freeholder Christine Myers, and Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio
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About the National Register:
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of cultural resources significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture. For more information, visit the National Park Service web site at NPS.gov/nr.
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About the Mount Tabor Historical Society:
For more information on this district and the wealth of historic resources reflecting the heritage of Mount Tabor, visit the Mount Tabor Historical Society web site at MountTaborNJ.org.
The Mount Tabor Historical Society is an all-volunteer, non-profit 501c3 organization founded in 1990 with the mission to preserve and restore the Victorian heritage of Mount Tabor, and to increase community awareness and participation in planning for its future in harmony with its past. The organization serves the Mount Tabor community and hosts educational programming and tours for residents and the public to call attention to Mount Tabor’s rich cultural and architectural heritage. The Society is a proud steward of the Richardson History House, a Camp Meeting Cottage Museum, located at 32 Trinity Place and open to the public the second Sunday of each month from 12 pm until 4pm and by appointment by calling 973-975-0001. Its largest fundraiser is an annual historic house tour held the last Saturday each September.
