This West Amwell Historic Preservation Committee is charged with responsibility to:

Record and preserve the history of the people, sites, and buildings in the township

Identify artifacts of historical significance

Create an awareness of the rich history of the township

West Amwell Township’s first Historic Preservation Committee was appointed in November, 1992. The Committee meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Township Municipal building.

The Committee’s primary function is to act in an advisory capacity to the Township Planning Board whenever a proposal under consideration impacts on an historic structure—building, bridge, sign, etc. The Committee needs to determine what is significant to preserve of the Township’s heritage and to educate the residents about why historic preservation is important to the Township’s future.

The Committee is appointed each January by the Mayor to serve one, two or three year terms. The 2005 Committee is:

Gary Bleacher (Township Committee Liaison)

Carolyn Deal

Ruth Hall (Chair)

MaryAnn Hartman

Martha Shea

Joan Smith

The Historic Preservation Committee projects for 2005—

Update the Historic Preservation page on the Township website.

Continue video taping and interviewing long-time residents. Particular emphasis this year will be to interview and video tape all of the former mayors.

Participate in Senior Fest at Delaware Valley Regional High School. The Committee prepared a one-page history of the Township that will be used in a booklet that the County Senior Health Services is preparing.

Continue to identify and document the historic architecture in the Township by conducting a “windshield survey” during the spring or fall of 2005 to make certain that all historic structures have been identified and documented.

Continue research on the village of Gano and the Mantell cottage. Walk both properties.

Continue to solicit and collect old photographs and other memorabilia of the Township.

Solicit designs for a new Veterans’ Honor Roll. Continue research on existing Honor Roll.

Fund raising projects this year--the sale of a fleece throw, t-shirt and mini-flag.

03/28/05