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i thisI notroughboss-me ashouldictionOn IS;incillouldpub-ndingmon-Letters to the editor* •Cites historical significance of Bolton MansionEditor, Courier TimesThe recent controversy concerning the fate of Bolton Mansion has undoubtedly obscuredthe real meaning of its history as well as the efforts made to preserve this early American home.Within the stone walls of BoltonMansion is measured the prosperity a growing nation. Following■colonial land grant to William Penn in 1661, he gave his dose friend, Phineas Pemberton, landatop a hill where he built his homein 1683. This is best brought intoperspective by recognizing that at this time Pennsylvania was inhabited by less than 6,000 settlers.Though subsequent smaller sections were added to the original structure, the final enlargement of Bolton Mansion was in 1840, some26 years before the Civil War.Certainly a sustained and concerted effort should be made topreserve and restore the entire structure, for each section has astory to tell and none is without historical significance.There is no doubt that a restored Bolton Mansion will be avaluable asset to the residents of6 are Bristol Township for it wouldprovide the ideal setting for youth festivals, arts and crafts shows, aswell as many other cultural activities, a facet in community life which has been sadly lacking in our township.Following the removal of the municipal offices to the new township building in 1866, various committees diligently sought to restore the Bolton Mansion, but the refusal of the commissionersto match grant offers doomed each to failure, as every foundation or government agency shouldrightly expect. After all, Bolton Mansion is owned by Bristol Township and entrusted to the’board of commissioners which isproperties. So it was the board of commissioners who snubbed theefforts of those citizens, truly concemed and participating in a restoration committeeappropriate the necessary funds match various grant offers. Evidence of this lies in a lettto me on April 24, in which Congressman Edward Biester said, “You should know that The Bolton Mansion is included in the National Register of Historic Places and therefore would beeligible for matching grant assistance under the National HistoricPreservation Act of 1966Perhaps one of the commissioners would enlighten the community as to the reasoning behind theirrefusal to match the proposal for grant assistance which was made by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If the historical significance of Bolton Mansion were such tobe proposed as part of a statewidepreservation program, then surely the board of commissioners wouldhave been entirely proper andwell within its duties to match thisgrant, not only because of Pemberton’s local prominencethis unique opportunitycommissioners to truly benefit theresidents of Bristol Township with a minimum of funding.I would urge the Bristol Township Commissioners to establish a trust fund whereby governmental appropriations (local, state, and federal), as well as contributionsfrom foundations, organizations, and citizens could be deposited and designated strictly for use in the restoration of Bolton Mansion.And also, they should give prompt and serious consideration to the matching of a grant so that restoration of this colonial struc-»may begin with the least pos-e delay. To help the commit* whose efforts are directed to-elected to maintain all township ward the preservation of BoltonMansion to secure the building,provide the proper policing of the entire area, and to assist in making the grounds more appealing within the next few weeks.When Winston Churchill wasasked his feelings on history he replied, “The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” My question is, what kind of visions willItewe have of our future if we are to,Liforever lose this priceless piece of our colonial heritage?Richard A. SauersLevittown, PaaarfuPidiI’d like to helcustlt;
Newspaper Details
Bucks County Courier Times
Levittown, Pennsylvania, US
Mon, May 13, 1974
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Margaret R.
PA, USA 18 Apr 2022
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