SAVE THE STATION PROJECT UPDATES
February 2023
Urgent Call for Financial Support
We’ve recently been handed a new challenge that will most certainly test our mettle—both as individuals and as an organization. But those who dare to move forward must always to be ready to hit some bumps in the road. In the end, I expect we’ll work through this challenge by repeating behavior that’s led to success so many times before: keeping our energy focused on a solution. And although I hate to have to use this space to share important news like this, here goes:
In mid-January, the Longswamp UCC, landlord of the Schubert Haus, our rented museum display, storage and workspace, notified the Board of Directors it would soon have a need for the entire square footage of the building and will be giving formal notice of cancellation of the Agreement between our two organizations (in accordance with the language of the Agreement) at some, yet undetermined date in 2023. We are most grateful to the church council for the courtesy of an advance notification, especially since the Agreement language requires a mere 30-day notice. We are already at work seeking alternatives.
As a result of the imminent Agreement cancellation, the Board has recommended that we discontinue future museum open house events until further notice. We will, however, continue to accept donations of objects relevant to the Longswamp area. The Society has raised $219,193.00, the half-way point of our financial goal of $406,200.00 for the Save Our Station restoration project of the Mertztown Train Station.
We ask for your support in meeting our goal to move forward with preserving a local historic landmark within the Longswamp community, which would allow us to have a permanent location for the Society to tell our community's history.
Urgent Call for Financial Support
We’ve recently been handed a new challenge that will most certainly test our mettle—both as individuals and as an organization. But those who dare to move forward must always to be ready to hit some bumps in the road. In the end, I expect we’ll work through this challenge by repeating behavior that’s led to success so many times before: keeping our energy focused on a solution. And although I hate to have to use this space to share important news like this, here goes:
In mid-January, the Longswamp UCC, landlord of the Schubert Haus, our rented museum display, storage and workspace, notified the Board of Directors it would soon have a need for the entire square footage of the building and will be giving formal notice of cancellation of the Agreement between our two organizations (in accordance with the language of the Agreement) at some, yet undetermined date in 2023. We are most grateful to the church council for the courtesy of an advance notification, especially since the Agreement language requires a mere 30-day notice. We are already at work seeking alternatives.
As a result of the imminent Agreement cancellation, the Board has recommended that we discontinue future museum open house events until further notice. We will, however, continue to accept donations of objects relevant to the Longswamp area. The Society has raised $219,193.00, the half-way point of our financial goal of $406,200.00 for the Save Our Station restoration project of the Mertztown Train Station.
We ask for your support in meeting our goal to move forward with preserving a local historic landmark within the Longswamp community, which would allow us to have a permanent location for the Society to tell our community's history.
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March 2022
Revised Budget Due to inflation, the Longswamp Township Historical Society received a revised bid for the Save Our Station: the Mertztown Train Station Restoration project, increasing the cost from $307,006.75 to $406,200.20. The previous bid was pre-pandemic from early 2020. The current bid should incorporate rising supply and labor costs, although construction pricing continues to be variable at this time. You can find the revised bid here. NEXT STEP: Continue to raise the needed funds to complete Phases II, III, IV, V. (Phases III, IV, and V must occur in a continuous series.) Phase II-V Fundraising Goal: $340,370.28 |
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December 2021
$75,000 Awarded
The Berks County Commissioners through the county's Redevelopment Authority, awarded $75,000 to the Longswamp Township Historical Society for our Save Our Station restoration project for the Mertztown Train Station.
The Society has neared the $200,000 mark and hopes to meet $243,233 in order to start work on the station's restoration. The total cost is estimated to be $310,000.
NEXT STEP: Continue to raise the needed funds to complete Phases II, III, IV, V. (Phases III, IV, and V must occur in a continuous series.)
Phase II-V Fundraising Goal: $242,233
$75,000 Awarded
The Berks County Commissioners through the county's Redevelopment Authority, awarded $75,000 to the Longswamp Township Historical Society for our Save Our Station restoration project for the Mertztown Train Station.
The Society has neared the $200,000 mark and hopes to meet $243,233 in order to start work on the station's restoration. The total cost is estimated to be $310,000.
NEXT STEP: Continue to raise the needed funds to complete Phases II, III, IV, V. (Phases III, IV, and V must occur in a continuous series.)
Phase II-V Fundraising Goal: $242,233
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July 2021
Fundraising Sign Installation The Longswamp Township Historical Society is continuing to raise funds for the Mertztown Train Station Restoration Project. So far, our GoFundMe page has reached over $60,000! A fundraising sign was installed on the Longswamp Township Community Park's hockey court fence along State Street to help get the word out about the project. We greatly appreciate Angie Fink with Fink Ink Signs & Graphics, a local business, for her work on the sign. NEXT STEP: Continue to raise the needed funds to complete Phases II, III, IV, V. (Phases III, IV, and V must occur in a continuous series.) We're currently at 19% of our goal. Phase II-V Fundraising Goal: $242,233 |
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December 2020
Phase I Completed of the Mertztown Train Station Restoration Project
The Building Committee reported that a drawing created by Hanover Engineering that serves as a legal description of the land to be leased to LTHS by the BOS. The drawing includes carefully measured distances, angles and directions in context with where the building will be positioned on the Longwamp Township Community Park property.
The final blueprints have been completed and Phase I of the project has been completed. To view the blueprints, check them out here.
NEXT STEP: Continue to raise the needed funds to complete Phases II, III, IV, V. (Phases III, IV, and V must occur in a continuous series.) We're currently at 19% of our goal.
Phase II-V Fundraising Goal: $242,233
September 2020
Phase I of the Mertztown Train Station Restoration Project Nears Completion
The Building Committee reported at its August 19th LTHS Board of Directors meeting that Watkins Architect, LTD, has completed 80 percent of the master plan and architectural drawings for the Mertztown Train Station Restoration Project. They can be viewed here. During the meeting, the Board also reviewed and voted on a preferred railing design. Once the plans are complete and stamped, the Committee can request building permits.
NEXT STEP: Continue to raise the needed funds to complete Phases II, III, IV, V. (Phases III, IV, and V must occur in a continuous series.)
Phase II-V Fundraising Goal: $242,233
August 2020
Mertztown Train Station Open House Draws a Crowd
Even a hot and very humid day with an early morning hurricane, made more all the more uncomfortable by face-covering requirements, could not deter the more than 100 visitors of all ages who toured the Mertztown Train Station on the afternoon of Sunday, August 2nd and followed self-distancing measures. The event, hosted by the Longswamp Township Historical Society, also offered visitors an opportunity to wander next door to the (air conditioned) church fellowship hall to view preliminary drawings and other items of railway interest. The event yielded $700 in donations. Our thanks to everyone who came out and especially to those who contributed to the Restoration Fund or supported the LTHS in other important ways. Thanks also to our event sponsors: Atlas Minerals & Chemicals, Christian Congregation Church, Longswamp Lions Club, Radcliffe's Great Valu, Sons of the American Legion Post 217, Spotts Insurance Group, Topton Fish and Game Association, and Valley Hardware and Supply.
Phase I Completed of the Mertztown Train Station Restoration Project
The Building Committee reported that a drawing created by Hanover Engineering that serves as a legal description of the land to be leased to LTHS by the BOS. The drawing includes carefully measured distances, angles and directions in context with where the building will be positioned on the Longwamp Township Community Park property.
The final blueprints have been completed and Phase I of the project has been completed. To view the blueprints, check them out here.
NEXT STEP: Continue to raise the needed funds to complete Phases II, III, IV, V. (Phases III, IV, and V must occur in a continuous series.) We're currently at 19% of our goal.
Phase II-V Fundraising Goal: $242,233
September 2020
Phase I of the Mertztown Train Station Restoration Project Nears Completion
The Building Committee reported at its August 19th LTHS Board of Directors meeting that Watkins Architect, LTD, has completed 80 percent of the master plan and architectural drawings for the Mertztown Train Station Restoration Project. They can be viewed here. During the meeting, the Board also reviewed and voted on a preferred railing design. Once the plans are complete and stamped, the Committee can request building permits.
NEXT STEP: Continue to raise the needed funds to complete Phases II, III, IV, V. (Phases III, IV, and V must occur in a continuous series.)
Phase II-V Fundraising Goal: $242,233
August 2020
Mertztown Train Station Open House Draws a Crowd
Even a hot and very humid day with an early morning hurricane, made more all the more uncomfortable by face-covering requirements, could not deter the more than 100 visitors of all ages who toured the Mertztown Train Station on the afternoon of Sunday, August 2nd and followed self-distancing measures. The event, hosted by the Longswamp Township Historical Society, also offered visitors an opportunity to wander next door to the (air conditioned) church fellowship hall to view preliminary drawings and other items of railway interest. The event yielded $700 in donations. Our thanks to everyone who came out and especially to those who contributed to the Restoration Fund or supported the LTHS in other important ways. Thanks also to our event sponsors: Atlas Minerals & Chemicals, Christian Congregation Church, Longswamp Lions Club, Radcliffe's Great Valu, Sons of the American Legion Post 217, Spotts Insurance Group, Topton Fish and Game Association, and Valley Hardware and Supply.
July 2020
Train Station Open House Rescheduled
Due to COVID-19, the LTHS had to reschedule the Open House for the Mertztown train station before its assessment and dismantling from March to August 2. The LTHS Board has met over the last few months over email and at the Longswamp Township Community Park pavilions to address project and schedule changes. At the Open House, visitors will able to tour the station and ask questions, while also visiting the Christian Congregation Church next door to view project plans and station artifacts. The Open House is Sunday, August 2 from 1-3 PM. See Events for more information.
We very much appreciate the support of Atlas Minerals & Chemicals, Inc., the Christian Congregation Church, and our sponsors Radcliffe's Great Valu Market, Sons of the American Legion, Spotts, Insurance Group, and Topton Fish & Game Association.
January 25, 2020
LTHS Plays Host
The Longswamp Township Historical Society hosted the Heritage Keepers of the Lehigh Valley monthly meeting at the Fellowship Hall of the Christian Congregation Church and provided tours of the Mertztown Train Station. Despite the rain, everyone appeared to enjoy the gathering!
Train Station Open House Rescheduled
Due to COVID-19, the LTHS had to reschedule the Open House for the Mertztown train station before its assessment and dismantling from March to August 2. The LTHS Board has met over the last few months over email and at the Longswamp Township Community Park pavilions to address project and schedule changes. At the Open House, visitors will able to tour the station and ask questions, while also visiting the Christian Congregation Church next door to view project plans and station artifacts. The Open House is Sunday, August 2 from 1-3 PM. See Events for more information.
We very much appreciate the support of Atlas Minerals & Chemicals, Inc., the Christian Congregation Church, and our sponsors Radcliffe's Great Valu Market, Sons of the American Legion, Spotts, Insurance Group, and Topton Fish & Game Association.
January 25, 2020
LTHS Plays Host
The Longswamp Township Historical Society hosted the Heritage Keepers of the Lehigh Valley monthly meeting at the Fellowship Hall of the Christian Congregation Church and provided tours of the Mertztown Train Station. Despite the rain, everyone appeared to enjoy the gathering!
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