Media Release
Contact FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kevin C. Rabago, Sr.
(856) 451-3407
CITY & CHABA GET $93K HISTORIC GRANT FOR NAIL HOUSE
IN BRIDGETON CITY PARK
The Cumberland Nail & Iron Works Office, known
locally as the “Nail House”, at the entrance of Bridgeton City Park, is set to
receive some much needed TLC courtesy of a $93,666 grant from the New Jersey
Historic Trust.
The 200 year-old Nail House, which is listed on the
Register of Historic Sites at both the state and federal levels, has been on
the radar of Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly and City Council for several years.
This most recent funding award is part of long term preservation efforts that
included a 2013 NJ Historic Trust planning grant that resulted in a
preservation plan, as well as 2015 grant from the 1772 Foundation to complete
an engineering study.
To make it all happen, Kelly and City officials partnered
with the Bridgeton-based Center for Historic American Building Arts (CHABA), a
nonprofit organization focused on historic preservation in Bridgeton’s historic
district which is the largest district in New Jersey.
The $93k grant, along with matching funds provided by the
City, will allow the structural repairs identified in the engineering study to
be completed with the end result being that the iconic Nail House can once
again be opened and accessible to the public.
“Bridgeton is very fortunate to have partners like CHABA
because they bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and professionalism to
the work of historic preservation. We are also fortunate to have the
New Jersey Historic Trust providing critical resources
and oversight to our projects. I look forward to the day we can open the Nail
House and return it to its proper place in the community” said Kelly.
Once completed, the City of Bridgeton hopes to continue
the partnership with CHABA as the logical choice to develop and possibly
operate an interpretive museum celebrating Bridgeton’s industrial past. While
such details remain to be worked out, Kelly envisions displays, interactive
elements, and even a retail piece to help with sustainability.
“We’ve made many improvements in our City Park and
Cohanzick Zoo and having the Nail House, which sits at the entrance to the park
and zoo, open to residents and visitors as a welcome center with display
pieces, interactive activities, and even a retail component to help support the
venue- this would be in keeping with our long term plans” Kelly said
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