The Historical Society of Moorestown awarded blue ribbons in excellence for historical preservation to 10 township homeowners at Smith-Cadbury Mansion on May 3.
Property owners were selected based on excellence in historic preservation in the following categories: preservation, rehabilitation, renovation, restoration, adaptive reuse and maintenance.
“I want to congratulate all the recipients on behalf of the Historical Society of Moorestown,” said Lenny Wagner, its president. “This is our first effort to recognize the building owners for excellence in historic preservation.”
Blue ribbon winners have lent authenticity and character to Moorestown, according to the society, by helping to ensure the township’s charm and culture will go on well into the future. With the awards, the society hopes to promote conscientious stewardship and maintenance of historic structures and encourages honorees to display the ribbons on the fronts of their homes and businesses.
“Although it’s the first, it will not be the last,” Wagner noted of the ceremony. “We plan on having future rounds of awards in the months and years to come.”
The blue ribbon honorees are: 1 West Main St., (BAYADA Home Health Care), Mark and Ann Baiada; 2 East Main St., (Chateau de Main/French Press), the Benson family; 845 Golf View Road, (Malcolm Wells House), John and Kathryn Shields; 1 West 2nd St., Dawn Medley and Troy Wymore; 149 East Main St., Timothy Faroul Jr. and Lauren Virone; 417 East 2nd St., William and Pamela Cossaboon; 404 East Main St., Elizabeth Johnson; 223 East Main St., Jeffrey and Hollie Hilzinger; 65 East Main St., (Moore Bagels), JVS Properties; and 131 East Main St., (Caryn & Co.), Caryn Procaccini.
“We feel that we’re at a crossroads in Moorestown, where a number of historic buildings are at risk,” Wagner explained. “While we’re prepared as an organization to do whatever we can to stop the demolition of historic structures, we felt that we should acknowledge those owners who have demonstrated a commitment to preservation.”
Architect Malcolm Wells designed this historic property at 845 Golf View Road.
With the awarding of blue ribbons, the historical society would like to create awareness of the need for sustainability and “green” construction through the saving and updating of historic structures. In fact, the preservation of old buildings constitutes recycling on a massive scale.
It is acknowledged that some waste is generated by the preservation, rehabilitation, reconstruction and conservation of old buildings. But the landfill space needed to accommodate demolition is much greater, as are the energy expended and resources utilized to build from scratch.
“Your efforts have demonstrated that historic preservation and functionality can co-exist,” Wagner noted of the blue ribbon homeowners. “You’ve contributed to maintaining the historic charm that has made Moorestown the community that it is today.
“Your efforts have also contributed to the sustainability of the town,” he added, “because the preservation of historically significant buildings – whether they be from the Colonial period or more modern structures designed by a pioneering architect – is really what Julie (Maravich, historical society trustee) would call, ‘recycling on a grand scale.’”
Maravich also praised the honorees for their efforts to preserve, restore, rehabilitate, reconstruct, conserve and maintain each historic property, something she believes has contributed to the township.
“Your collective efforts benefit all of us by enhancing the historic culture of our town’s center, creating that intangible feeling, or essence, that we call ‘charm,” she said. “ … That in turn makes Moorestown a desirable town to live in and a destination to visit.
“All of this directly correlates to elevating and sustaining property values and so, we thank you.”
