Burris Assists Swede's Run Project Again

Moorestown construction magnate William Burris has opened his wallet once again to help the Swede’s Run Barn restoration finally reach completion.

Burris and his wife, Linda, chipped in $5,000 last year around this time to get the stalled project back on track. After reading in the most recent edition of the Historical Society newsletter, “From the Front Porch,” that the project needed an additional $5,000, Burris stepped in again.

“We are committed to issues that are in Moorestown,” he said.

All told, Burris has donated $10,000 to the project.

The additional money is needed to satisfy the outstanding balance for the revitalization of the barn roof, according to a release. As the project progressed, it was discovered that the remaining rafters were badly deteriorated and their need for replacement doubled the original expected cost.

Burris has a history of assisting in matters of historic preservation: he’s contributed to the Historical Society a number of times; he purchased and refurbished the historic Main Street home, AKA the Hopkins House, where Long & Foster has its offices; and he 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.

He also held a fundraiser earlier this year, which benefited the Percheron Park project, and recently purchased the former Main Street Friendly’s to convert it into a French bistro.

Burris explained his interest in helping the Swede’s Run project, referring to the 150-year-old structure as part of “the historic fabric in town.”

Project organizer Julie Maravich, a member of the Historical Society stated in the release, “Bill Burris is a wonderful philanthropist whose generosity and concern for historic preservation has benefited Moorestown.”

According to Maravich, custom doorjambs and doors are the final touches that are in the works. Help is still needed, however, for the construction of a small landing inside the door. The landing is needed for safety purposes.

For more information regarding the project or to make a donation, visit www.moorestown.com/history.

Donations by check can 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.