Historical society still in search for Swede Run Barn funding

The Moorestown Historical Society must continue to find financial alternatives after learning the Open Space Trust Fund cannot be used to help pay for the completed renovations to the Swede Run Barn.

Members of the historical society were banking on the Moorestown Council to aid in paying off debts of the project.

“That is appearing less and less likely,” one of the project organizers, Julie Maravich, said.

Township manager Scott Carew wants to set a meeting date to discuss possible financial solutions to aid the Moorestown Historical Society members.

“It is not an issue of the repairs to the barn being permitted uses of Open Space Trust Fund,” Carew said via email. “The problem is that any expenditure by the township of public funds must follow public financial law.”

Carew mentioned the historical society has completed and paid for the projects. Any future work on the barn can receive aid from the township if the public financial law is followed, Carew said.

“We cannot reimburse them for those expenses,” Carew said.

A definite date has yet to be scheduled between Moorestown Historical Society members, Carew and financial officer, Tom Merchel.

Maravich said the historical society raised approximately $19,000 for the project, still leaving a significant amount to pay off. Revitalizing the roof cost approximately $12,000. It will cost another $5,000 to create and install custom door jambs with custom iron-forged strap hinges.

The estimated amount owed on the finished roof and the future plan to create and install the custom doors is $17,000.

The goal is to get the barn sealed to prevent weather damage and keep animals from turning the barn into a shelter, she said.

The common misconception of the Swede Run Barn is it is just a shed and it needs to be torn down. Maravich along with other members and supporters of the Mooretown Historical Society, sees the barn in a different way.

There is a possibility the barn was used as an early dwelling in Moorestown, Maravich said.

Jack Cresson, a local archaeologist, is in the process of finding what the barn was originally used for. According to Maravich, the barn has window-sized cutouts that were plastered over. The barn is a part of Moorestown history, it is not just an old-looking shed, Maravich said.

“We feel that a long time ago it was an early dwelling in Moorestown,” she said. “It’s really sad that people are quick to judge.”

Projects that will follow the completion of the door installation include recreating a loft and building a small landing with steps inside of the barn, as well as landscaping.

“That can be done in the future,” said Maravich. “The main objective is to save the building.”

The Moorestown Historical Society is continually searching for donations and fundraiser ideas.

Donations can be made on the Moorestown Historical Society’s website via PayPal. Donations by check should be made out to The Historical Society of Moorestown with “barn restoration” written in the memo line. All donations should be sent to Julie Maravich, 660 Chester Avenue, Moorestown, NJ 08057.

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