Historic barn raised up by the Great American Outdoors Act

News Release Date:
September 26, 2024

Contact:Alexander Parody, Chief of Interpretation and Education, (347) 949-3371

Morristown, NJ - The historic Wick House Barn in Morristown National Historical Park is undergoing critical preservation work funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund. This project is halting the barn's deterioration and enhancing its overall condition, ensuring its preservation for the enjoyment of visitors.

"Preservation of the Wick House Barn provides park visitors with a fuller and more accurate story of the Wick family farmstead," said acting superintendent Jude Pfister. "This project combined with recent improvements to the Wick home, replacement of the Wick Herb Garden fence, walkways and other structures, are helping prepare the park for the upcoming 250th anniversary of America's independence in 2026."
The project includes comprehensive exterior repairs that will also safeguard the barn's historical integrity. The attention to detail in the cladding, trim, sills, paint coatings, stone foundation and other architectural features will provide visitors with a more authentic glimpse into the life and times of the Wick family.
The preservation work is being carried out by a National Park Service Maintenance Action Team (MAT) funded by GAOA. Composed of skilled craftspeople experienced in traditional restoration and preservation techniques, several geographically based MATs travel to national parks to train and work alongside park staff to complete small but critical maintenance, preservation, and repair projects on historic structures. MATs enable the National Park Service to complete projects that require knowledge and competency in traditional trades in a consistent and cost-effective manner.

GAOA is part of a concentrated effort to address deferred maintenance and repair needs in national parks throughout the country. Supported by revenue from energy development, GAOA provides the NPS with up to $1.3 billion per year for five years to make significant enhancements in national parks to ensure their preservation and provide opportunities for recreation, education, and enjoyment for current and future visitors.
Henry Wick built his farmhouse in Jockey Hollow in the 1750s. His 1,400-acre farm, most of which was covered by forest, made him the largest landowner in Morristown. The farm's trees attracted General Washington's Continental Army to the area as a winter encampment site due to the army's need for logs to build huts for shelter and wood to burn for heating and cooking. During the winter of 1779-1780 the army chopped down over 600 acres of trees on Wick's property and Major General Arthur St. Clair made his quarters in Wick's home.

For more information about Morristown NHP, please visit its website at www.nps.gov/morr.
www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 430+ National Park System units and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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