Historic Grist And Saw Mill In Long Valley Gets Grant Funds

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Washington Township’s Obadiah LaTourette Grist and Saw Mill was one of 27 sites within Morris County that's been recommended for grant funding; and is expected to receive $23,616 in construction funding and $144,000 for construction documents from the county’s Preservation Trust Fund.

The Washington Township Land Trust of Morris County applied for the funding for the grist and saw mill, which was built around 1750. The grant was earmarked to help strengthen the building with Tyvek and cloth coverings on open areas; and to install aluminum gutters and leaders.

“Obadiah LaTourette Grist and Saw Mill represents an example of early industrial architecture and an important contributing resource to the National Register Historic District,” was part of the commentary from the county about the historic structure.

Video below from the Morris County Historical Society offers a glimpse of the mill and its importance to the area.

The Historical Society says the mill operated until the 1940s and the Land Trust acquired it plus 10 acres in 1991.

The Morris County Board of County Commissioners plans to approve $2.65 million in grants from the trust fund at its July 14 meeting.

Since 2003, there have been over 454 grants approved exceeding $40.6 million from the Preservation Trust Fund to benefit 113 historical properties within Morris County.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at jennifer.miller@patch.com.