Lost Towns of the Pine Barrens

Restoration work is nearing completion on the Batsto Mansion, but not without its controversy. The mansion dates to 1784(with later additions by Joseph Wharton), and serves as a focal point of the historic village. Word is the State park Service is planning to vacate its current offices and take over about one third of the mansion as office space. If that isn’t enough, there are reportedly plans to pave a parking lot behind the mansion!

This is part of an email that is circulating

This is not only contrary to state and federal register of historic site guidelines; it will deprive the public the opportunity to experience the oldest part of the mansion. This area, today known as the caretakers’ or servants’ wing, is critical to the historic interpretation of the early settlers of Batsto and to the later servant class, a group primarily composed of hard working immigrants who provided the ancestral foundation for many of us who enjoy the privileges of life in this state and country today.

The State Park Service also intends to construct a parking lot adjacent to the mansion. This move is beyond comprehension and demonstrates a complete disregard of historic stewardship. The proposed parking lot is planned to eliminate the need for staff to walk several hundred feet from the large and underutilized parking lot already in place at the visitor’s center!

Here’s a TV news report from News Channel 40 in Atlantic City.

If you’re in New Jersey, or even if you’re not, you can go here http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ look up state legislators and let them know what you think of the plan.