MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. — The Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation, in collaboration with the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, has unveiled a new digital history project titled “ZIP Code: Morris County Postal History,” chronicling the evolution of postal service in the county over the past 250 years.
The online exhibit explores how postal operations emerged in Morris County and highlights the contributions of postmasters and postal service personnel throughout history. The project also offers insights into historic villages that existed before the formation of modern municipal boundaries.
“Morris County has always known how to deliver,” said Joseph Barilla, director of the Office of Planning and Preservation. “In 1780, the Continental Army established one of the earliest local post offices at ‘Two Bridges,’ now part of Lincoln Park, to support wartime communication and logistics.”
Morris County’s postal legacy stretches back to the Revolutionary War and the birth of the American postal system. Before independence, most mail was routed through British channels, and private couriers were available only to the wealthy. With tensions rising between the colonies and England, the need for secure communication became urgent.
On July 26, 1776, the Continental Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin as the first postmaster general. His reforms helped lay the foundation for a national postal network that connected communities from Maine to Florida — including the areas that would become Morris County.
“Once again, the Office of Planning and Preservation has shown us that Morris County’s deep ties to the formation of our nation extend far beyond military endeavors,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw. “Through projects like this, we’re reminded of the everyday individuals — like postal workers — who helped shape the fabric of American life.”
ZIP Code: Morris County Postal History is the latest in a series of cultural resource surveys produced by the county’s Planning and Preservation office. It seeks to document individuals — many lost to history — who played a role in building Morris County and the nation.
The county is inviting the public to contribute to the project by sharing stories of current or former postmasters. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Cultural and Historic Resources Specialist Jan Williams at jwilliams@co.morris.nj.us.
