Archive Record

Metadata

Title

Morris County Park Commission Archival Papers Fonds

Scope & Content

The MCPC Archival Collection was founded to capture the history of the Morris County Park Commission through the words of its staff, volunteers, Commissioners, Morris County Freeholders, and patrons who enjoy them as well as document the linked history of Morris County to its vast park system. The collection also includes individuals that donated land or property to the MCPC, or other persons that were very involved with the activities of the parks, or the history of a site owned by the MCPC which may not be covered within the scope of another archival collection. Finally, archival holdings pertinent to the history of Morris County and the mission and vision of the Morris County Park Commission, but not covered within the scope of another, specific, collection are included herein. These records will be an excellent source of information for researchers interested in the institutional and organizational histories of the MCPC and the recollections of those involved with the MCPC.

Object Name

Fonds

Catalog Number

MC2014.003

Collection

Morris County Park Commission

Physical characteristics

This is the parent record of the MCPC Archival Papers and does not refer to any specific item. The MCPC Archival Papers are comprised of 8 boxes, 2 map case drawers, and digital files of information.

Creator

Various Creators

Other Creators

MCPC Staff and volunteers

Biographical History

MCPC History and Structure
The Morris County Park Commission was established in 1956 by voter referendum by authority of NJSA 40:37-95.1 et. Seq. The first park within the system was Lewis Morris County Park in Morris Township which was dedicated in March 1958 with 350 acres. The second park acquisition was 75 acres now known as James Andrews Memorial Park in Randolph. There are 9 volunteer Park Commissioners serving 5-year terms selected by the Board of Chosen Freeholders. Each Commissioner serves on several committees to oversee the Park System's activities.

As of 2014 the MCPC was the largest county park system in New Jersey based on acreage and responsible for stewardship over 18,730 acres of parkland. The MCPC is comprised of 38 facilities: historic sites, golf courses, outdoor educational and recreational facilities, arboreta, conservation areas,150 miles of trails, ice skating arena, and an artificial turf field complex with two inline hockey rinks. Over 3.5 million people visit the parks each year.

The Mission of the Morris County Park Commission is to develop and preserve a dynamic and unique system of diverse natural, cultural and historic resources, and to provide innovative education and recreation opportunities of regional value, while exercising environmental and fiscal responsibility.

Year Range from

1868

Year Range to

2023

System of arrangement

The MCPC Archival Collection is organized into series relating to the institutional history of the MCPC as a governmental institution. The arrangement of the collection reflects the natural groupings found within the Collection:

Series 1: MCPC Oral Histories
This series contains Interview Recordings, Audio, Digital, Video and Transcriptions of the oral histories directly relate to the interviewees' recollections and activities within the MCPC.

Series 2: Morris County General History
This series encompasses all archival holdings pertinent to the history of Morris County and the mission and vision of the Morris County Park Commission, but not covered within the scope of another, specific, collection.

Series 3: MCPC Image Collections
This series encompasses all image holdings including film and video, pertinent to the history and activities of Morris County Park Commission including park acquisition, site development, and significant events, that are not covered within the scope of another, specific, collection. The Image Collection contains a large diversity of materials relating to the various Park Commission properties including special events, park property, storm damage, and site history among others. The Morris County Park Commission Image Collection includes photographs, slides, and photo negatives primarily produced or collected by the PR and Marketing Departments which have their own Index.

Series 4: MCPC Sites and Park Property Collections
Greystone
Tourne
Schooley's Mountain
Lewis Morris Park
Seaton Hackney

Series 5: MCPC Institutional Collections

Subjects

Parks
Morris County
Morristown--History
Recreation
Mental health
Mental institutions
Maps
Oral history
Insurance

Copyrights

Records may be copied for use in individual scholarly or personal research; however, as with all materials in the Morris County Park Commission, researchers are responsible for obtaining copyright permission to use material from the collection.

Level of description