The Burlington County Times reports restoration work on the Atsion Mansion in Shamong should be completed by this summer. I have been trying to get information on this story since the bid procedure was announced months ago. But unfortunately the Public Information Officers in the Press Office at the State Department of Environmental Protection apparently do not want to speak with a member of the public. I was rebuffed for not being a “member of the press.” Seems they forget that the press is a surrogate for the public. Anyway back to our story.
Samuel Richards built the Greek Revival Mansion in 1826 along what is now Route 206. There was a previous restoration, but the mansion has been closed to the public for many years. Wu and Associates of Cherry Hill is doing the restoration work. The work includes a new roof and restoration of the porch on the West side of the mansion. It was removed in the 1960’s. One interesting item to note is the columns that hold up the porch roof are actually water pipe that was made at the Atsion Iron Works for the City of Philadelphia. They are stamped with a “P” indicating Philadelphia.
The Burlington County Times reports the state does plan to have guided tours of the mansion once the work is complete. However, given the state’s current financial situation I wouldn’t doubt those tours stay in the planning stages for many years to come.
HJGA Consulting of Montclair prepared the contract documents and a “cyclical maintenance program” to help the state preserve this landmark. Few people have been inside the structure in recent years, you can get small glimpse at HJGA’s website here
3 responses so far ↓
1 Lori // Feb 2, 2008 at 9:38 am
Hmmmm…it seems that the public information officer hasn’t read his or her job description in a while. Too bad they refused to provide any more information; what you have about the Atsion restoration is interesting. Don’t you have any attorney friends? It would be interesting to if their info request would be accommodated.
2 Phil Russo // Mar 4, 2008 at 1:02 am
Just so you know, the water pipes used on the porch were actually made at Weymouth Furnace which was also owned by Samuel Richards. I attempted to volunteer at Batsto and wanted to demonstrate historically accurate furniture making and after spending MONTHS drawing up a proposal to help revitalize the ENTIRE park I had to go through red tape miles deep and eventually a cranky grounds keeper at the park threw a wrench in the works. I also find it amazing that the “historian” at the two sites seems to be partial to Joseph Wharton who was NOT involved in the iron industry, and who systematically destroyed all of the historical aspects of the towns, like using the Richards Mansion at Atsion as a cranberry packing house!
The people who should be taught about and revered are Charles Read, and the Richards Family-and the state with their ignorance is celebrating not the founders that made these towns but a Victorian millionaire who through eccentricities and sheer greed has taken a part of New Jersey’s rich history and obliterated it not unlike the many fires that claimed the pines time and time again. And I also doubt the experience and quality of the people doing the restoration work. I have years of experience in historic restoration but alas the state found some firm in cherry hill–I imagine there are some greased palms in this dealing! I just hope that the public gets to see a decent tour soon. I also love going to these sites and being totally disappointed with the staff because I know FAR more than they do and feel cheated when on any tour. The Wharton Forest association and the state need to get their acts together! I for one am NOT impressed!
3 admin // Mar 4, 2008 at 11:38 am
Phil,
You’re right about the pipes being made at Weymouth, I confused the two Richard’s operations.
As for the rest, I agree with you on the interpretation of places like Batsto, it seemed to be lost in historical periods, was it iron, glass, agriculture? On my last visit the “museum” seemed to have more information on the Richards Family than before.
With the Guv’s budget address, I stand by my statement that I think any tours at the Atsion mansion will stay in the planning stage for a long long time. I hope I’m wrong.
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