Historical commission recommends relocating, renovating 1795 Thomas Willing House at 974 Delchester Road

The Willistown Township Historical Commission voted June 2 to recommend approval of an application to relocate and renovate the circa‑1795 Thomas Willing House at 974 Delchester Road.

Warren Claytor, the project's presenting architect, described plans to move the existing 36.1‑by‑31.1‑foot house to a more visible location on the parcel and construct a new house on the original footprint. As presented, the project would remove a front porch, add a pent roof above the front door, and remove a circa‑2000 addition; the house's parlor retains a 9‑foot‑10‑inch ceiling. Claytor told the commission the building has sustained significant water damage and some structural issues. He also said the owner may reorient the front of the historic structure so it faces south at its new site.

The applicant's parcel is surrounded by approximately 235 acres held under a conservation easement, a point commission members noted while reviewing the proposal. Chair Bart Van Valkenburgh asked whether an archaeological investigation could be performed while the relocation and renovation work proceeds; the commission discussed that possibility but made no formal requirement at the meeting.

Bob Lange moved and Terry Kile seconded the commission's recommendation of approval "as presented." The motion passed with five votes in favor and one abstention; Warren Claytor recorded an abstention. The meeting record shows Greg Prichard had abstained earlier on the minutes vote but voted on this application. The commission's recommendation will be forwarded consistent with the township's review process for historic resource applications.

Next steps recorded at the meeting: the Historical Commission's action will be included in meeting minutes and transmitted to the appropriate reviewing body for the project to proceed through required permitting and any further township review.