Historical Society of Rockaway Township

Ford-Faesch House

629 Mount Hope Rd,
Rockaway, NJ 07866

For information on events, click on the website below:

https://www.hsrockawaytwpnj.org/

The Ford-Faesch Ironmaster’s House was built in 1772 by Colonel Jacob Ford, Jr. prior to construction
of the Ford Mansion in Morristown which, served as Washington’s Headquarters from December 1779 to June 1780. Both were built in the Georgian style of architecture. Though they have striking similarities, the Ford-Faesch Ironmaster’s House construction consists of thick walls of native stone. The kitchen wing was built at the east end of the house and Faesch’s counting room was located in the newly reconstructed west wing. Notable features include: early 19th century trompe l’oeil paneling in the first floor hallway, original cabinetry in the second story bedrooms and a smoke house located in the attic.

Swiss ironmaster John Jacob Faesch initially leased, then bought, the house and property from the Ford family. Faesch produced supplies and munitions for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. So important was the Mount Hope Iron Works that Hessian prisoners captured at Trenton were released to work under Faesch. Faesch was recognized as a patriot who served as a civic leader, Common Pleas Judge and as a Morris County delegate to the New Jersey State Convention that ratified the United States Constitution.

Efforts by the Historical Society of Rockaway Township (HSRT) resulted in the house being included on the State and National Registers of Historic Places in 1973 and 1974, respectively. In 1984, Rockaway Township purchased the Ford-Faesch Ironmaster’s House site and leased it to the HSRT, which has since assumed leadership for safeguarding the house and spearheading its restoration.

Parking available during Pathways at the Tilcon Office parking lot.

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