Morris Leader

Morris County officials and members of the Friends Meeting House and Cemetery Association gathered to celebrate the dedication of a historic plaque at the Randolph Friends Meeting House. The ceremony marked the preservation efforts of New Jersey's oldest wood-frame meeting house.

Morris County Commissioner Director Christine Myers, alongside Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, presented the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust plaque to Margaret Steneck. Steneck served as president of the association from 1985 to 2008 and is a descendant of the original Quaker community.

“The Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund has invested nearly $700,000 in preservation dollars into this building, and it’s been a phenomenal program," stated Deputy Director Shaw. "It’s our honor to present this plaque to an original descendent.”

Built in 1758, the Randolph Meeting House is noted for being the oldest wood-frame meeting house in its original location in New Jersey. Dr. Nicholas Steneck, President of the association, gave a presentation on its construction and restoration history.

The cemetery adjacent to the meeting house has been active since 1758 and includes burials such as anti-slavery organizer Jacob Lundy Brotherton and Hartshorn Fitz Randolph.

“History is core to who we are and our identity as Morris County,” said Director Myers. “Commissioner Shaw and I are honored to be leading the effort from the commissioners’ perspective for the semi-quincentennial—the 250th anniversary of the country.”

Since 2004, $690,745 has been allocated through Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund for preserving both structures. These funds supported projects like a 2007 Annex project and improvements under a new Preservation Plan initiated in 2019.

Margaret Steneck expressed gratitude: “Descendants have kept this building standing since... they realized they needed an association... If Morris County... had not stepped in in the 1980s, this building would have fallen down."

The taxpayer-funded trust fund has preserved over 120 structures with approximately $50 million dedicated over two decades.

“The dollars are coming from taxpayers... but they overwhelmingly support these efforts," said Shaw.

Randolph Mayor Christine Carey thanked contributors: “Thank you to county... taxpayers for contributing these funds... preserve our history."

Further information on preservation efforts can be found on their respective websites.