Morris Leader

Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen H. Shaw presented a Historic Preservation plaque to Madison Mayor Robert H. Conley, recognizing the preservation of the nearly 200-year-old Madison Masonic Lodge. The building, supported by county preservation funding since 2020, will soon become a community hub for seniors and local organizations.

The Morris County Historic Preservation Trust awarded a grant of $562,500 in 2024, covering half of the $1.125 million acquisition cost. Previous grants included $21,440 in 2020 for structural repair documents and $107,200 in 2022 for flooring and structural restoration.

Funding from the New Jersey Historic Trust, Madison Open Space, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, and a $1 million donation from resident Martin Heller have also supported the project. The building has been renamed The Heller Center to honor Heller's late wife.

“The preservation of this historic building... was made possible through the collaboration between the county, the town and the generosity of Mr. Heller,” said Deputy Director Shaw at the dedication ceremony attended by Joseph Barilla and Ray Chang.

The Madison Masonic Lodge was originally constructed in 1825 by the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township. It combines elements of Wren-Gibbs Classical and Federalist architecture and was listed on historic registers in 2008.

In 1930, it was sold to Madison Lodge No. 93 before being acquired by Madison Borough in December 2023 with support from Heller’s donation.

“The Masons did an amazing job taking care of this building... but they could no longer maintain it,” said Mayor Conley. “Madison was figuring out how to make this happen when Martin Heller’s $1 million gift turned this vision into reality.”

Planned rehabilitation includes ADA accessibility improvements funded by a New Jersey Board of Public Utilities grant and electrification of the building over a projected period of up to sixteen months.

According to Mayor Conley, a celebration is planned for May to mark its bicentennial anniversary with future plans ensuring its longevity as a community asset.

A plaque on the building honors Mark Heller: “In Honor of Mark Heller... His Spirit Lives On.”

“I’ve admired this property for years... we persevered it to create this wonderful facility,” said Martin Heller.

The next Morris County Historic Preservation Trust grant cycle begins in January with applications due by March.

For more information about historic preservation programs visit Morris County Planning and Preservation's website.