Swede Run Barn Rescue Effort Speeding Along

Just a few short months to restore the Swede Run barn, it appears its saviors already have enough cash in hand to begin rescuing the beleaguered barn.

Sue Poaletti, the project organizer, said the has received approximately $14,000 in donations to date, which meets the initial goal set by the project’s founders.

“I am so pleased with the response … I am thrilled,” sad Poaletti. “In this short amount of time, to raise that much money, is phenomenal.”

According to Poaletti, architect Kimberly Bunn (of Bunn Architecture) and engineer Tom Kulp (of PMH Associates) are expected to have design specifications ready to deliver to the township within the next week or so.

Those plans will include the replacement of the existing roof, repairs to holes and cracks in the stone walls, new doors, and landscaping around the site, as well as the overall reinforcement of the structure.

The idea is to try to “maintain the historic character (of the building), but also … to bring it to code,” said Poaletti. “So the architect and the engineer are using clever ways” to disguise the modernity of the improvements.

“It’s going to look like it’s historically accurate. But behind the beams there’s going to be devices to have stronger support,” she said, as well as disguised ventilation.

The township recently erected a temporary fence around the building, both for the public’s safety because the building is structurally unsound, and for security purposes once construction begins, said Poaletti.

A host of professionals and contractors, including Bunn and Kulp, have offered their services pro bono to the project. Poaletti said stonemason George Bobb will repair the walls and contractors and Dave Schill and Paul Canton (of ) will take care of some of the carpentry work. will replace the roof. The township has also agreed to waive its permit fees.

The money raised through donations will pay for materials and other ancillary costs.

Poaletti said the goal is to begin construction in the winter and be finished by the spring.

Adding another layer to the “Save the Swede Run barn” story is the contribution of Jan Daniels, a retired Dutch citizen who lives in the Bahamas, but summers in Moorestown, who has a particular affinity for the barn. Daniels created a coffee table book containing photographs and history/information about the barn.
He has said 100 percent of the proceeds from sales of the book will go toward the restoration project.

"When in Moorestown, I happen to drive by Westfield Road a lot," Daniels explained in an email. "The barn has fascinated me for a long time and for a few years I have made many photos of the barn in various seasons and different times of the day. This documented the deterioration of the barn over the last few years, which got me attached to it.

Poaletti said she had not spoken with Daniels, but explained, “This barn means something different to many people on many different levels.”

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.

The following is a list of those who have already donated (provided by the Moorestown Historical Society):

• Anonymous: $5,000
• Lopez McHugh, LLP: $1,000 
• Holman Automotive: $1,000
• Peter C. Trentacoste: $1,000
• Mark & Carolyn Nachmias: $1,000
• Steven A. Benner: $1,000
• Mark & Ann Baiada: $1,000
• STEM (Save The Environment of Moorestown): $500
• Carol A. Benner (previous owner of Swede Run barn property): $500