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Willistown commission raises preservation concerns about barn ruins, culvert and proposes an award
Summary
Commissioners discussed stabilizing stone barn ruins at a historic estate, reported a damaged culvert at 209 Spring Road and considered creating a Historic Preservation Award to recognize exemplary preservation work in Willistown Township.
During the May 5 meeting of the Willistown Township Historical Commission, members discussed several non‑application items including repair and maintenance of stone barn ruins, a damaged culvert and a proposed preservation award.
Chair Bart Van Valkenburgh urged contact with the homeowners association for the John Bowater‑Smedley property on West Chester Pike to repair and maintain stone foundation ruins believed to be among the oldest barn remains in Pennsylvania.
Commissioner Terry Kile reported culvert damage at 209 Spring Road, noting a previously mentioned historical abutment that was not found on site; he also referenced articles in the Daily Local, Vista Today and Philadelphia Today that he said contained preservation misinformation about Maple Leaf Farm. No corrective response or public comment about those articles was recorded in the meeting minutes.
Caroline O’Connor, the township's director of planning and zoning, introduced the concept of creating a Historic Preservation Award to recognize outstanding preservation work in the township and invited the commission to develop the idea.
With no public comment, the commission adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
