Organization of the Week: The Musconetcong Watershed Association

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Every Monday, I highlight a non-profit related to history or the arts, a historical society, preservation group or friends group whose main objective is to promote the historical and artistic history of New Jersey.

This week, I am featuring the Musconetcong Watershed Association. The Association was founded in 1992 by local residents who were concerned about preserving the Musconectong watershed's unique natural and cultural resources, and how those resources are managed by state and local governing bodies. The region served encompasses the Musconetcong River watershed, a drainage area of 157.6 square miles in northwest New Jersey which includes portions of Morris, Hunterdon, Warren, and Sussex counties. The Musconetcong River runs 42 miles from Lake Hopatcong to the Delaware River.

In 1999, the Musconetcong Watershed Association took title to the former Asbury Mill, a nineteenth century building across from the street from the mill, and a third building in the river in Asbury, New Jersey, as a donation from the Riddle family, owners of Asbury Carbons. In 2009, the Musconetcong Watershed Association opened the River Resource Center, which is now the Association's headquarters. This building, built at the beginning of the nineteenth century and later modified, was designed and renovated to meet U.S. Green Building Council LEED Platinum standards. Currently the Association is in the process of restoring and readapting the Asbury Mill to functional use. Over the past few years they have received several grants, which are partially funding the restoration. Once completed, the first floor will be a classroom with a portion of the area dedicated as exhibit space for early mill and agricultural technology. The upper floors will be converted to office space. The organization also hosts river cleanups, advocates for smart planning, the removal of dams along the river, and educates children and adults about the environment through outreach in schools and programs held at their headquarters.

The Musconetcong Watershed Association relies on memberships, fundraising, and countless volunteers to continue its mission. For more information on programs, special events, and cleanups, hosted by the Musconetcong Watershed Association or to become a member or volunteer, please call 908-537-7060 or visit www.musconetcong.org.

If you are a member of a non-profit organization or know of one that you would like to see featured on this site, please let us know in the comments or send an e-mail to kelly@thehistorygirl.com.



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