Burris Donation Gets Swede Run Barn Restoration Back on Track

Thanks to a generous donation from Burris Construction CEO William Burris and his wife, Linda, the organizers of the Swede Run Barn restoration now have enough money to finish the project.

according to project organizer Julie Maravich. , but had spent that and still owed $12,000 on previously completed work, plus needed another $5,000 to finish the project.

After reading a news story recently about the project’s stalled status, William Burris opened up his checkbook and made a $2,500 donation. When his wife read the story she told him, “‘It says they need $5,000. Why didn’t you send them $5,000?’” he recalled. “I hadn’t seen that.”

So he cracked open his checkbook again and donated another $2,500.

“We want to do things in the community,” said Burris, who has contributed to the Historical Society of Moorestown in the past, and spent $100,000 to help establish the Beach Haven Historic Advocacy Commission, for which he was the recipient of the Walt Whitman Historic Preservation Award in 2006.

Maravich said the project was stuck after supporters learned the township would be unable to help pay off the project debt—due to public finance law—from the Open Space Trust Fund.

“I don't believe this is a place for spending township Open Space funds,” said Burris. “This should be the effort of locals who support these type projects.”

Maravich said she’s very grateful for the donation, which will be used to pay for the rest of the work—including doorjambs with custom iron-forged strap hinges and interior renovations—as well as pay down some of the project debt. 

“We’re back in business,” she said. “It’s spectacular because we were fairly maxed out as far as donations from the townspeople. To have the Burris family come forward and respond to our dilemma is phenomenal for us as we are so close to completing the project. This kind of generosity will really help us push it through.”

Organizers hope to have the new doors installed before winter hits so they can close up the barn and keep animals from using it for shelter. After that, there’s still some interior work to do—including the recreation of the loft and the building of a small landing with a step—which should be finished sometime early next year, Maravich said.

As always, the historical society is still accepting donations. Donations by check should be made out to The Historical Society of Moorestown with “barn restoration” on the memo line. Donations should be mailed to Julie Maravich, 660 Chester Ave., Moorestown, NJ 08057.

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