Acorn Hall was listed in the National Register in 1973 and the nomination amended in 2016. The property is significant under Criterion C. Acorn Hall is one of the best-preserved examples of mid- to late-nineteenth century cultural history in New Jersey. Its period of significance spans from 1860 to 1935. Home to four generations of the Crane & Crane-Hone families, little has changed over the past 111 years including interior fabrics, finishes, furniture, and decorative arts. From 1860 to 1906, Augustus Crane was a bank professional and gentleman farmer. The carriage barn was one of four outbuildings on the property, and the only to survive. The shed addition, also called the gardener’s shed, may have housed small animals.

The front yard was altered in the mid-1960s when approximately twenty-five feet of lawn was taken to widen Morris Avenue in association with the construction of Interstate 287. As part of this widening, the fence and hedge associated with the front of the property was removed. Also removed was a circa 1910 streetlamp(s) that was located on the curved drive-in front of the house.

The 2023 Trust grant will help fund the preparation of design and contract documents for interior restoration of Acorn Hall. 

The 2022 Trust grant will help fund the restoration of portions of the front landscape including lighting improvements.

The 2021 Trust grant will help fund interior rehabilitation of the carriage barn and reconstruction of a shed addition to house restrooms.

The 2017 capital grant helped fund Phase I of the carriage house restoration including roof replacement and stabilization of the north and south walls. The planning grant helped fund the preparation of construction documents for Phase II. Once complete, the carriage house will provide additional programming and exhibit space that is ADA accessible.   

A 2001 grant helped fund an accessibility study. An earlier capital preservation grant helped pay for roof construction work and exterior restoration of porches and the dining room bay window. 
 
For more information, visit: https://morriscountyhistory.org/acorn-hall-history/