Representatives from the society along with five other historical societies attended last week’s township council meeting in Cinnaminson
The Palmyra Historical and Cultural Society banded together with five other historical societies to protest the demolition of a barn in Cinnaminson. Representatives from the Palmyra Historical and Cultural Society, the Historical Society of Riverton, the Riverside Historical Society, the Delran Historical Society, the Maple Shade Historical Society and the Burlington County Historical Society attended the Cinnaminson township council meeting last week in support of saving the barn. Cinnaminson does not have an active historical society.
This year, Cinnaminson will welcome a Wawa with Gas at the corner of Route 130 and Taylors Lane. With the site plans, a barn the Palmyra Historical and Cultural Society and the New Jersey Barn Company believe is from approximately 1850 will be destroyed.
Palmyra Historical and Cultural Society President Jim May spoke at the meeting to ask for council’s help and to clarify the society is not attempting to block the Wawa from being built. Instead, it is asking Wawa to redesign the building plan to save the barn.
“There is a distinct possibility that that building can be saved,” May said. “We are interested in preserving, not diminishing, our rich agricultural heritage.”
Palmyra Historical and Cultural Society Founder Harold Petitte said he believes Wawa can alter its plans to save the barn and still build the gas station.
“It can happen. We’re thankful and we’re hopeful that you’ll support us,” Petitte said.
Petitte is requesting council write to Richard Wood, chairman of the Board of Directors for Wawa, to request the plea to save the barn be taken seriously. The Palmyra Historical and Cultural Society has already sent multiple letters to Wood.
“Cinnaminson has lost practically every historic building it has. I want to implore you to keep the history of the town in the forefront,” Petitte said. “I know you’ve got pressing financial problems, and that’s your main issue. However, if we don’t know where we came from, we won’t know where we’re going.”
Petitte referenced a similar request that was made in Millville back in 2000 when an incoming Wawa planned to knock down a tree that was more than 200 years old. The residents spoke out, and the tree was saved.
Petitte also spoke on the heartbreak he felt when a company knocked down a building previously owned by his family that was built in 1701 to construct a parking lot.
“Cinnaminson has the least amount of historic buildings left. If they don’t save something soon, they won’t have anything to save,” Petitte said.
The Palmyra Historical and Cultural Society aims to “bring people of all ages together who share a common interest, to bond and create friendships and memories that last a lifetime.” To learn more or to become a member, visit www.palmyrahistory.com.
