Princeton commission approves emergency repairs to Updike Farmstead wagon shed with conditions

The Princeton Historic Preservation Commission on April 7 approved an emergency application allowing the Historical Society of Princeton to demolish a failing lean-to on the wagon shed at the Updike Farmstead and to reconstruct the lean-to and repair roof framing and windows, provided the lean-to is not rebuilt and the commission’s experts meet with the applicant within two weeks to review roof framing details.

The commission’s vote responded to a structural engineer’s report documenting instability after winter thaw and the applicant’s request for an expedited review. The application covered work at 354 Quaker Road (Block 100201, Lot 11), in the Princeton Battlefield historic district and within multiple preservation overlays. The Historical Society asked to replace roofing with the same diamond-shaped asphalt shingles previously approved, reconstruct the lean-to in the same footprint, replace second‑floor wood windows to match existing muntin patterns, repair or replace siding and trim with salvaged material where feasible, and rebuild foundations with masonry faced in stone veneer using salvaged rubble where possible. The application noted removal of six trees, including multi-trunk cherries and a walnut that encroached on the lean-to.

Why it matters: commission members and local preservationists said the wagon shed contains very old fabric and notable framing that merits careful treatment, but the structure’s worsening condition created an imminent‑failure safety concern. The commission balanced the need for stabilizing repairs against the preservation value of original rafters and framing; it approved the emergency project but required follow-up consultation on alternatives to the proposed new roof framing.

Applicant testimony and expert views

Anthony Todaro, attorney for the Historical Society of Princeton, said publication and notice requirements were satisfied. Leanne Hunter, private events manager for the Historical Society, described the society’s stewardship of the property and said parts of the wagon shed date back centuries and that a donor has offered funds to address urgent structural problems. Architect Ron Cabranzer described the existing failures — a twisted lean-to, failing shingles and shifting rubble foundation — and explained the proposed approach of a new concrete block foundation faced with stone veneer, replacement of deteriorated plate members, in-kind wood windows, thermally modified poplar siding when salvage is unavailable, and maintaining the lean-to’s existing size and ridge height if reconstructed.

Commissioner Elrick Endersby, who presented a detailed historical and carpentry analysis, urged additional scrutiny and preservation of original rafters and roof connections. Endersby observed that the lean-to is likely a later, twentieth‑century addition that contributes less to the site’s significance than earlier framing, and he recommended against using glulam ridge members that would alter the appearance and structural character of the attic framing. He told the commission, “This originally was a 24 by 24 foot building,” and detailed rare carpentry features he argued should be preserved or fully documented before invasive interventions.

Outcome and conditions

The commission approved the application on a motion by Elrick Endersby, seconded by Charlotte (last name on record), with the following conditions captured in the motion and subsequent staff directions: - The present lean-to portion identified on the submitted plans will not be rebuilt; the applicant agreed to remove the lean-to element from the construction scope. - The applicant and Commissioner Endersby (and other experts invited by the commission) will conduct an on-site consultation within approximately two weeks to explore roof framing alternatives that might preserve more historic fabric. Any resulting minor changes to the approved roofing approach may be handled administratively by staff; the main approval otherwise authorizes the work as submitted (less the lean-to) pending the submittal of revised plans that omit the lean-to.

Motion and vote record

Motion: Approve the Historical Society of Princeton application for demolition and reconstruction of the wagon shed lean-to, roof repairs, window replacement, foundation work and associated site work, with the conditions above. Mover: Elrick Endersby. Second: Charlotte (recorded as seconding). Vote: Miss Satterfield — yes; Mister Shatkin — yes; Miss Howard — yes; Mister Shore — yes; Mister Endersby — yes; Miss Friedman — yes; Chairperson Capizzoli — yes. Tally: yes 7; no 0; abstain 0. Outcome: approved.

Next steps and clarifications

The applicant will submit revised plans reflecting the removal of the lean-to and the commission’s conditions. The applicant agreed to meet with Endersby and other commission‑named experts within a short timeframe to seek a roofing approach that reduces replacement of historic rafters; any proposed modification arising from that meeting will be treated administratively where possible. The Historical Society also noted they already own the previously approved diamond‑shaped shingles and intend to use them if agreed.

Community context

Commission discussion documented both the scarcity of comparable early framing in the county and the practical urgency posed by active deterioration; members repeatedly stressed the need to preserve original timbers where possible while preventing near-term loss of the entire structure.