Press Releases
FOJH Makes First Contribution to Morristown National Historical Park’s Jockey Hollow
Leslie Bensley, Executive Director of Friends of Jockey Hollow (FOJH), reports that it has made its first contribution to Morristown National Historical Park’s (MNHP) Jockey Hollow. In late June, a new digital display system was installed at the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center to better assist people by supplying user-friendly information about all there is to see and do while visiting the park. The state-of-the-art 65” high-resolution monitor is configured with a cloud-based content management system which will be regularly updated. Content includes essential park notifications, a calendar of events, educational videos, and even local weather conditions.
The FOJH, working in partnership with Morristown NHP, learned in late spring that having a monitor such as this would provide the staff at the information desk with a supplemental tool; the Visitor Center at Jockey Hollow is often busy, especially when tour groups arrive. “We are grateful for our new partnership with the FOJH and are pleased to have this project in place just in time for the summer season,” said Thomas Ross, Superintendent, MNHP.
“It is gratifying to see our first effort come to fruition,” said Bensley. The project fits perfectly with the mission and goals of the newly created Friends of Jockey Hollow. FOJH serves as an independent organization to protect, preserve, and promote this treasured National Historical Park, whose environmental quality, recreational value, and historic significance keep our rich cultural heritage alive for the enjoyment of current and future generations of visitors.
Jockey Hollow’s grounds are currently open daily, 8 am to 8 pm, while its Visitor Center is now open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm. All park grounds and facilities at Morristown National Historical Park are free of charge.
To learn more about Friends of Jockey Hollow or to donate: visit www.fojh.org
Staff & Founders
Staff
Founder
Founder
Leslie Bensley,
Executive Director
lesliethorsenbensley@icloud.com
Leslie is the former Executive Director of the Morris County Tourism Bureau, which she held for twenty-four years. In 2010, Governor Corzine appointed her to serve on the Governor’s Task Force for Heritage Tourism, where she served as vice-chair. The task force published the Heritage Tourism Plan for New Jersey, which serves as the state roadmap for heritage tourism development. In addition, Leslie received the 2013 Award of Recognition from the New Jersey Historical Commission for longtime support, advocacy, and promotion of Morris County’s history and historic sites.
Leslie
lives in Morris Township with her husband Charlie and has two children. A longtime member of the Kellogg Club, she is in their book group and is a member of the Garden Club of Morristown.
Founder
Founder
Founder
S. Dillard and Adrienne Kirby Family Philanthropic Fund
Dillard and Adrienne Kirby raised their family in Mendham, just outside of Jockey Hollow National Historical Park, and have hiked every trail within its boundary. They have been involved in supporting several documentaries of personal interest, which have been viewed on PBS, including Morristown: Where America Survived, a film based on John Cunningham’s account of the ‘hard winter’ of 1779-1780 in Jockey Hollow. An abbreviated version of the movie is on view at the visitors’ center and was also supported by the Wentworths.
Among Adrienne’s volunteer involvement is the Garden Club of Morristown, where she is active in local civics projects, and most recently has joined the Board of the Trustees for the Morristown Green. Adrienne is a past board President of Preschool Advantage in Morristown.
Dillard joined the F. M. Kirby Foundation in 1996 and served as Executive Director or President for over twenty-five years until recently stepping down. Dillard’s past affiliations include the Boards of Newark Academy, The Seeing Eye, The Gladney Center, the New Jersey Chapter of the Leukemia Society, Morristown Memorial Health Foundation, The Council of NJ Grantmakers and The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Dillard currently serves on the Board of the Madison Area YMCA.
Founder
Founder
Founder
Kim and Finn Wentworth, the Dearhaven Fund
Kim and Finn Wentworth are lifelong New Jersey residents and live in Morristown, NJ. Kim has focused her community based activities on three particular areas of interest: the natural environment, early childhood education, and primary care medical initiatives. She is currently a Trustee of the Community Foundation of New Jersey, a former Morris County Park Commissioner, and the namesake of the Kim M. Wentworth Chair in Environmental Studies at the College of the Atlantic.
Finn is a private investor and entrepreneur. He is currently a Trustee of the Atlantic Health System and past chairman of the Morristown Medical Center Foundation. He also serves as a Trustee for the Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge Foundation and the New Jersey Hall of Fame. He has served as a Trustee for his alma maters, Lehigh University and Morristown Beard School, and is a Morristown Green Trustee emeritus.
Founder
Founder
Founder
Mark X. Wentworth
Mark X. Wentworth is the Owner-Winemaker of Wentworth Vineyard and Ranch. He is an avid outdoorsman and conservationist. In addition to Friends of Jockey Hollow, Mark serves on the Board of Directors for Mendocino Winegrowers and the Mendocino Woodlands Camp Association, and is also a Councilor of the Save the Redwoods League. He and his wife Katie have two daughters who share the familial love of nature and the outdoors.
Our Thanks
Our Thanks
Our Thanks
- Hans Dekker, President, Community Foundation of New Jersey
- Photography from the Morris County Tourism Bureau
Our Thanks
Our Thanks
Our Thanks
- Morristown Chapter DAR
- Photography from Mary Fettes, Chase Heilman
Our Thanks
Our Thanks
Our Thanks
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference & their talented trail supervisors:
- Robert Jonas
- Estelle Anderson
The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a volunteer-powered organization that builds, maintains, and protects public trails. Together with our partners, we strive to ensure that the trails and natural areas we share are sustainable and accessible for all to enjoy for generations to come.
Our Partners
