by Anne Motto, F.M. Kirby Curator of Collections
July 23, 2024
Morris County’s 39 municipalities are home to a fascinating tapestry of historic sites recognized on the state and national level for their significance. Some famous, some little known, together they preserve the story of the people, industries, and culture that shaped our community. In the third blog of this series, MCHS highlights some of the sites to be found in Long Hill Township and how they contributed to the diverse and multifaceted county we live in today.
All Saints’ Episcopal Church: In 1904, prominent residents of the growing community of Millington began fundraising for a new church under the leadership of Bishop Edwin Lines of the Diocese of Newark. Among those spearheading the efforts were humanitarian Mary Hudspeth-Benson, Frederick Taff (who donated the land), and Duane H. Nash (who built Millington’s train station). Through local fundraising, construction began in 1905, and the church was completed a year later with the first service in May 1906. A rectory was built in 1913, and a parish house in 1950. Expanded to its current size in 1957, the church continues to serve the community today.
Boyle-Hudspeth-Benson House: Built by Solomon Boyle around 1750, the farmhouse is among the oldest in Millington, which got its name from the Boyle family mills built in the area. Expanded in the early 19th century, the home was owned by members of the family for over 100 years. It was purchased at the turn of the century by twice-widowed Mary Hudspeth-Benson and expanded once again around 1900 to include a modern kitchen, dining room, and hall as well as servants wing. Mrs. Hudspeth-Benson was formerly of Jersey City where she was a strong advocate of social reform and worked tirelessly to help the city’s impoverished children and improve sanitation, among other causes. The residence was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Millington Schoolhouse (top photo): Originally built as a one-room schoolhouse between 1845 and 1853, the school was expanded and altered five different times. Over the years, the community’s population grew, and in 1882, the school, which taught grades one through eight, had around 20 students. In 1910, a second classroom was added to meet growing needs, which was expanded only a year later. The building also began to be used for other purposes. For a time, the congregation of All Saints’ met at the school until their own church was built, and beginning in the 1920s, the addition was used as the public library. As the needs of the community changed, it ceased to be used as a school in 1926 (although it was briefly again a few years later), but continued to house the library until the 1950s. From 1928 to 2003, it was the site of town offices and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
Stirling Worker’s Historic District: Named for General Lord Stirling of the Continental Army who once owned a nearby estate, the community was developed in the 1870s as an industrial village after a spur of the Morris & Essex Railroad was built to the area. Formed in a grid on 500 acres, its small, frame cottages became home to a diverse group of factory workers, many immigrants. A button factory was started in 1878, followed after it closed in 1887 by a silk mill. Other textile mills came in the early 20th century and continued operation until WWII. Today, the historic district is centered around Stirling’s Main Avenue and its cross streets.
For more historic sites, check out these blogs:
Mine Hill and Wharton
Madison, Part 1
Boonton, Part 1
Parsippany, Part 1
Chester Township
Hanover Township, Part 1
Mendham Township
Florham Park, Part 1
Dover, Part 1
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