Millburn Nonprofit Seeks Help Restoring Vital Real Estate Records

MILLBURN, NJ — What are the most popular items in the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society’s collection? By far and away, the real estate records for local homes and businesses.

According to a recent social media post from the nonprofit, the records can give local homeowners invaluable information about their investment:

“Would you like to see what your house looked like 80 years ago? Or see what the house sold for and what the property taxes were then? Did the house have an oil tank? Was an addition put on the house later? Who owned the house?”

See some sample records here.

But the heavy demand for the records – which are used almost daily by homeowners, real estate agents, architects and researchers – has taken a toll, the society said. And that’s where the Millburn and Short Hills community can pitch in.

According to the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society:

“The historical society would like to prevent further wear and deterioration by having them professionally scanned, digitized, and put online so they are available to everyone at any time. Once they are digitized, the records will also be searchable, making it easier for researchers to find any record. The estimated cost for the digitization alone (not including the web host set up) is approximately $4,500 and the society would like to apply for a grant to offset at least some of that. The terms of the grant require a demonstration of additional fundraising by the applicant, so the society would like your help in meeting that goal.”

Here’s how to help, the nonprofit says:

“Please help us get these records online by donating to the historical society. Donations should be made payable to the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society and mailed to us at P.O. Box 243, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078. Note in the memo line, please, that the donation is for the real estate record collection. Alternatively, you may donate via PayPal by visiting our website at http://mshhistsoc.org. Add a note there, too, about the purpose of the donation. Please contact us at 973-564-9519 if you have questions or are in need of further information. All donations are tax deductible.”

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Millburn-Short Hills Facebook page here.

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