My friend, Robert Williams, the Verona NJ town historian, took me on a tour of these National Park Service houses, located within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Built between the 18th and 19th century, many of these sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and were in live-in condition a couple of years ago when the Park took ownership. We saw doors wide open or missing, window glass smashed and some of these historically important houses sadly vandalized and trashed.
“The Shoemaker-Houck Farm was one of the premier structures in the Park,” Bob told me. “The front portion of the house was built in 1822 while the rear portion was built in the eighteenth century. Look what has happened to this house in only one year’s time!” We saw that the back door was wide open. “This is a National Register Building that was in excellent condition. How could this have happened?” Bob asked me sadly.
Bob explained the history of each house we visited, and recounted how the Smith-Lennington House had been in the same family since it was built. “When the Park Service took title of this a few years ago it was completely intact and in live-in condition. Shortly after their stewardship began, someone took the columns off the porch and it was down-hill from there.”
Check out my blog: TrixsPix.com to view a slideshow of images:
Trix'sPix-endangered-historic-houses
In case you are interested in expressing your concerns, here are excerpts from the letter sent to Senator Lautenberg from Bob Williams on 1/10/2012:
Hon. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg
324 Hart Building
Washington, DC 20510-0001
Re: Demolition/Condition of Historical Sites at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
"Currently, there are scores of historical buildings surviving in the Park in various stages of decay with little to no protection whatsoever. Many of these buildings, and their respective sites, are already listed on or eligible for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places."
"These elements are key to understanding the rural development of northwestern New Jersey and the significant role that area played in American history."
"I think the Park Service fails to see that these buildings are assets that belong to and were paid for by the taxpayer."
"It is clear that the National Park Service has a legislative responsibility to care and maintain the cultural/historical resources that belong to the people." |