Historic Preservation

The Howe Farmstead in Colonial Park is set to be restored and historically preserved. (Photo: Somerset County Historical Society.) The Somerset County Historical Society is seeking financial and labor contributions to the restoration and historical preservation work at the Howe Farmstead in Colonial Park. This is the first time a historic property is being restored as an all-original venue for …

Representatives from an East Millstone church were told Sept. 3 that they’d have to make a return trip to the township’s Historic Preservation Commission with more information about an expansion project they’re planning. The group, from Calvary Community Church on Franklin Street, needs to give the commission information on the type of facade materials that will be used, and more …

A plan by Rutgers Preparatory School to build a pavilion on its Easton Avenue campus got the blessing of the township Historic Preservation Advisory Commission June 5. The pavilion would include two bathrooms and a space to sell refreshments, said Peter Richardson, the school’s director of operations. The pavilion would be located near the school’s turf field, close to the …

There was more than soup and chili served up March 11 by the East Millstone Historic Society at its annual meeting. Music by an Irish music trio, Lesser Seamus – featuring village resident Michael Steinbrück – and talks by Delaware and Raritan Canal author Linda Barth and Bob Mettler, the township historian, were also on the menu. Mayor Phil Kramer …

A major renovation is planned for the McDonald’s fast-food restaurant in the Village Plaza on Easton Avenue. Perhaps renovation is an understatement; plans call for the demolition of the current restaurant and the construction of a new building. Professionals representing McDonald’s appeared before the Historic Preservation Advisory Commission on Feb. 6 to talk about the plans and get the commission …

The Franklin Reporter & Advocate had a rare chance on Jan. 28 to tour a vacant historic home in Middlebush, and get a little history lesson along the way. Township historian Bob Mettler was on hand to talk about Middlebush as well as the house, which dates back to the late 1800s. Mettler was there with his colleague Karen Davis …

Two historic homes in the township have been added to this year’s “Weekend Journey Through the Past,” a Somerset-County wide celebration of county history. Sponsored by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, the event is set for Oct. 14 and 15 at various locations in the county. This year, the Van Liew-Suydam House at 280 South Middlebush Rd. and …

The reconstruction of the Nevius Dutch Barn at Rockingham in Kingston won a 2017 New Jersey Historic Preservation Award from the state Historic Preservation Office. The project was one of six that were honored May 11 in a ceremony at the Burlington County Olde Courthouse in Mount Holly. Rockingham, which is owned by the state and located on Laurel Avenue, …

The owners of the Honeyman House on Canal Road will be able to use a different roofing material than originally approved on the property’s barn. The Historic Preservation Advisory Commission voted May 2 to allow the property owners, Ed Potosnak and Jeremy Pike, to use shingles made of asphalt rather than install a metal seam roof. Potosnak, who is also …

  Submitted by Victory Chase. Rockingham State Historic Site, 64 Laurel Ave., General George Washington’s final wartime headquarters, will be holding its annual Candlelight Tours of the house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 11. The theme for this year focuses on the help foreigners provided the colonies during the course of the American Revolution, and the holiday traditions …