The Historic Preservation Advisory Committee is assigned the responsibility for developing ordinances for historic preservation, advising other government planning bodies about historic elements involved in proposed projects, and updating the Township's historic sites survey with an eye toward designating specific districts and sites as suitable for historic registration.  The Committee was created by a Township Resolution in 1997.  The Historical Preservation Advisory Committee is modeled on Historical Preservation Commissions already functioning in neighboring towns.

Long Hill Township has among the highest density of historic structures of any location in Morris County owing to the combination of our isolated geography and low impact development.  This historic heritage is a resource which should be encouraged in a way that protects and enhances real estate values and quality of life issues, all of which lead to a more desirable community.  By viewing our living history as another valuable asset, the Committee can advise the Planning Board and work alongside the Environmental Commission, Shade Tree Committee, and other local guardians to make sure that our homes and properties remain unspoiled by thoughtless and destructive actions.

There are other advantages.  When the Township is able to designate historic districts and individual historic sites, low cost state renovation loans become available for those properties.  To put owners of older homes at ease, none of this means that "big brother" government can tell you what you can and cannot do with your house.  All it means it that local government can help you protect your historic property from rampant development that might devalue your home.

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THE ELM STREET SCHOOL

Pictured is the Elm Street School, constructed 1908-1910.  It is an example of a local historic asset which has been saved from demolition.  This building replaced an even earlier wooden schoolhouse which stood on the same property from 1888 until 1910.  The construction of the brick Elm Street School was the largest and most expensive project the township had undertaken to date.  It was a civic anchor in the growing Village of Stirling.  The building served as a public school and later as administrative office space for the Board of Education until 1996.  The Board of Education's plan to demolish the building and sell the property was reevaluated at the urging of the Committee members.  Instead, in late 2002 the building was sold to a private developer who will reconfigure the interior space of the building to meet modern office needs while preserving and restoring the exterior look of the local landmark as it approaches the beginning of its second century.

The Historic Preservation Advisory Committee was active in preventing the destruction of the Torrey homestead, once called "Hilltop", on Long Hill Road in Stirling.  From the late 1870s until the mid 1920s, the edifice was home to the family of one of Stirling's founders, Herbert G. Torrey, who was also known nationally because of his expertise as a scientist, metallurgist, mineralogist, and who served as Chief Assayer of the US Mint.  Torrey's father was the internationally renowned botanist John Torrey MD, LLD, the founder of the