Friends Of Pitney 'Deeply Concerned' Over Historic Property's Future

MENDHAM TWP., N.J. – The group of residents who have spent more than a year finding ways to preserve the Pitney Farm property and keep the piece of Mendham Township land away from development may be the most heartbroken by the devastating fire that ripped through the main house last month.

Named the Friends Of Pitney Farm, the group of volunteers has done everything from conduct feasibility studies to survey the land and come up with business proposals of how to best keep the property in its current condition to remain a gem of history in the township.

But that all changed on Feb. 24, when an overnight fire ripped through the main building – much of which was built in the early 1700s – leaving the structure unusable and partially collapsed.

“The destruction of the western half of the Main House at Pitney Farm is a devastating loss of history, community asset and public resource for Mendham and the entire community. We are now deeply concerned for the remaining portions of the historic farm house, including its original 18th century section, which have opened to the elements since the fire and are now subject to further exposure and damage,” said Friends of Pitney Farm President Omie Ryan in a statement to Patch.

Ryan said the group supports the township committee in suspending all decision-making on the future of the property until the arson investigation is complete.

That investigation is open and ongoing through the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.