Thank You

to the many volunteers at our first Barnard House Day

What a tremendous start to the renovation of this historic building and grounds! Approximately 50 volunteers ripped out carpets and laminate, tore out bathroom and kitchen fixtures, removed partition walls and paneling -- filling two dump trucks with debris. Outside, volunteers created planting beds, mulched and planted flowers and shrubs, and cleaned up the grounds. Stop by to see what a facelift our volunteers gave to this beautiful site!

Special thanks to Longwood Fire Company, who brought ten volunteers; to Brandywine Hardware for donating pansies and azaleas; to the Kennett Underground Railroad Center for donating food, sodas, and a reenactor; and to Sue and Jim Caldwell, Pocopson residents who organized the volunteers and supplied much-needed tools and expertise.

Barnard House: Renovate and Repurpose

In October 2008, the Township took possession of 68 acres at the northwest corner of the intersection of Lenape-Unionville and S. Wawaset Roads. This land was transferred from Chester County to Pocopson at no cost to the Township.

The transaction included the Eusebius Barnard House, an early 1800s stone house and a stop on the Underground Railroad located opposite the Pocopson Home. This historic stone house will eventually be renovated and repurposed to house the Township’s administrative offices and public meeting space and as a home for the Kennett Underground Railroad Museum.

Please click here to see a photo of the Barnard House.

A top priority is to utilize green and resource renewal technologies to make the renovated building a showcase project for carbon footprint reduction. We’re applying for grants so that a geothermal HVAC system can be installed in the house. Retrofitting the existing wood windows is important to maintaining the historic appearance of the structure while reducing energy usage. Water reuse and energy saving electric lighting are also part of the plan. By taking a leadership role in emphasizing green building techniques, the Township hopes to encourage the community to implement the same types of improvements on the residential level.

A Steering Committee has met bi-weekly since February (follow the links below to review the minutes of the meetings). The first step, working with architect Dennis Melton to identify space and functional needs, was completed in April. Floor plan options are under review. Depending on funding opportunities, work could start on the building later in 2010. The goal is a renovated Barnard House that meets the needs of the Township for administrative and public meeting space while saluting the building’s historic past.

Barnard House Steering Committee

Georgia Brutscher, Chair

Jean Conary

Mary Dugan, KURC

Kris Firey-Poling

Alta Hoffman

Rusty Jones, KURC

John O’Neal, KURC

Susan Simone

Meeting Minutes: