Thank You

to the many volunteers at our first Barnard House Day

At their meeting on October 8, 2012, the Pocopson Township Board of Supervisors rejected the bids received in September for renovation work at the Barnard House and sent the project back to the Barnard House Steering Committee.

Barnard House Steering Committee

Georgia Brutscher, Chair

Jean Conary

Mary Dugan, KURC

Kris Firey-Poling
Carol Haaf

Alta Hoffman
Rusty Jones, KURC

John O’Neal, KURC

Susan Simone

Tasks that the Committee and other volunteers are working on include:
 

Re-evaluate the bid package
1. Consider removal of “high-end” components
2. Limit the historical construction experience requirement for some components
3. Consider cost reductions if original windows are replaced not restored
4. Request bidders suggest alternatives to components specified that might reduce costs and improve energy efficiency

Volunteer opportunities
1. Determine potential volunteer work opportunities
2. Mission statement and project description will be revisited for print material and web site posting
3. Community stakeholder meeting to be scheduled to identify perceived value for the project and historically sensitive nature of the project
4. Inform stakeholders through social media
 

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 that met bi-weekly in 2009 (follow the links below to review the minutes of the meetings) has been reinstated to advise the Board as to the feasibility of renovating the Barnard House to meet the needs of the Township for administrative and public meeting space while saluting the building’s historic past.

Meeting Minutes (The Steering Committee did not meet in 2012-11):