Preservation New Jersey Lists State's Most Endangered Historic Places
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - Some of New Jersey's historic sites are on the verge of withering away. So a group has come up with a list to draw attention to them, WCBS 880's Levon Putney reported.
WCBS 880's Levon Putney On The Story
Podcast
Preservation New Jersey has listed the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in New Jersey for 2012.
"This year's list is particularly representative of economic challenges," Preservation New Jersey Senior Program Director Stephanie Cherry-Farmer told Putney.
These are situations where caretakers lack the funds to maintain the structures. Cherry-Farmer said the main goal is to show those with money that donations could help to preserve history.
"I think it is a challenge that everybody can relate to," she said.
Among this year's sites is the Franklin Inn in East Millstone, Franklin Township, Somerset County. It dates back to before the Revolutionary War.
"It was a very successful used bookstore during the late '90s and 2000s," Cherry-Farmer said.
But it was damaged last year by Tropical Storm Irene.
"A little bit of repair and it'll be back to a viable use," Cherry-Farmer said.
Also on the list is the rusty Central Railroad of New Jersey train shed at the historic terminal in Liberty State Park, Jersey City, Hudson County.
"This is not just an old building. It's an opportunity for revitalization," she said.
Also on the list of sites are the following:
- Hope Fire Company / American Legion Post 254 - Mays Landing, Hamilton Township, Atlantic County
- Howell House - Cape May, Cape May County
- The Kastner Mansion / Pride of Newark Elks Lodge No. 93 - Newark, Essex County
- Lime Kilns of New Jersey - Statewide, Multiple Municipalities and Counties
- Mount Peace Cemetery - Lawnside, Camden County
- Salem County Insane Asylum - Woodstown, Mannington Township, Salem County
- Tichenor-Gregory-Goddel-Wallisch Farmstead - West Milford Township, Passaic County
- Wheatsworth Mill and Gingerbread Castle - Hamburg, Sussex County
LINK: Preservation New Jersey
"As the economy gets better money will come back. We just have to make sure these resources stay around long enough," Cherry-Farmer said.
What site do you think needs help in New Jersey? Sound off in the comments section below.
