NPS historic structures could get federal restoration $$

By DIANE GLYNN

MILFORD — In a time when a huge portion of the 2002 federal budget may be allocated for defense dollars, one local group has bravely requested Congress to approve $7.5 million to restore a series of historic structures in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWGNRA).

Most of these structures are located in Pike County.

Following a facilities management report by the National Park Service (NPS) conducted last year, a series of 13 sites with structures were identified as having significant historical value and in need of restoration.

The project began when Bill Kiger, past president of the Pike Historical Society, asked Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) during one of his visits to Milford if there might be Congressional interest in the preservation of historic structures on NPS lands.

“I kept getting green lights every time I asked if people were interested in the project,” said Kiger. “It’s a worthy project that the NPS just doesn’t have the funds to complete.”

The NPS entered into a partnership last December with the group, now known as the Joint Committee to Save the Historic Structures in DWGNRA, to save these structures.

An historic property initiative was created by the NPS, inventorying and chronicling each property’s value, and the estimated costs of the restoration needed at each building. The projects in Pike County include:

• the interior and exterior rehabilitation of the Ramirez Solar House, the second solar house constructed in the U.S., estimated at $850,000.
• the general restoration of the Crane-Goldhardt House, associated with 19th Century vaudeville theatre acts from New York City, estimated at $513,000.
• rehabilitation of the interior and exterior of other structures in the DWGNRA, such as the Eshback Farm Complex, and the Metz Ice House, estimated at over $2.5 million.

Individuals who have shown an interest in the historic preservation of Delaware River structures have been called upon to help support the project by contacting Congressman Don Sherwood (R-10PA) to urge his backing.

The NPS land from Montague to the Delaware Water Gap represents an area that was the earliest filtration system for American settlers, and therefore represents a crucial historic section of American history.

If Congress approves the request for funding, the project could begin to take shape in 2006, according to Kiger.