History Marks the Spot: Morris Township, Part 2

by Erin Feith, Coordinator of Research & Visitor Engagement
March 24, 2026

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 this blog series, MCHS highlights the sites to be found in each town and how they contributed to the diverse and multifaceted county we live in today.

Washington Valley Historic District: Since before the Revolution, the valley, which surrounds the Whippany River west of Morristown, attracted settlers with its abundant farmland. Apple-growing in the area led to the development of a lucrative distilling industry where cider and whisky were produced for markets. The preservation of area’s bucolic atmosphere ushered in a wave of newcomers as the Gilded Age commenced. Early on the scene, Charles Foster leased The Willows Estate before purchasing it in 1881 and renaming the property “Fosterfields.” Yet more millionaires followed, and among the palatial estates constructed in Washington Valley were those belonging to Luther Kountze (“Delbarton”), Walter and Emma Kemeys (“Tranquility”), and Charles Cutler, Edward Hall, and Augustus Hibbard, who together resided on “Telephone Hill.” While post-WWII suburbanization replaced one-time pastures, the valley has retained much of its character through the generations, with many structures preserved or re-adapted. As a result, the Washington Valley Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

Alnwick Hall (The Abbey): The most fashionable address outside Washington Valley in late-19^th-century Morris Township was Madison Avenue. Millionaire Edward P. Meany of Covent Station, like many of his social status, desired to draw inspiration from the estates of European nobility and selected Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, England as the model for his new residence. Designed by Percy Griffin, Alnwick Hall was completed by 1904 and featured a combination of historically inspired details and modern innovations, such as concealed cornice lighting in the great hall that mimicked moonlight. His wife, Rosalie Meany, often hosted elaborate parties in the home and was famed for her musicales where popular names of the day dazzled guests in two-hour concerts. Following her death, Meany sold their mansion, initiating a long series of sales and resales over the decades that followed. Alnwick Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. In 2020, it was purchased by Restoration Hardware for their next Design Gallery. 

Glynallyn: Perhaps few other millionaires were as committed to modeling the estates of European aristocracy more than George Marshall Allen when building his mansion, Glynallyn. Head of the George M. Allen Publishing Company which pioneered color printing, Allen used his fortune to construct a replica of Compton Wynyates, a 16^th-century castle in Warwickshire, England and sent architect Charles I. Berg to study its exact dimensions. To achieve his desired degree of authenticity, he also requested that materials from ancient structures be transported to Morris Township, including stained glass, oak paneling, ship beams, and dungeon doors. Although delayed by WWI, Glynallyn was completed in 1919. By 1952, the home became the headquarters for the General Drafting Company, touching off a series of other uses including private event venue. Glynallyn was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.