There continues to be some understandable confusion as to the difference between the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Commission, and the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society. Therefore, I revisit a past column (from October 2012) to explain the differences.
The more formal body is the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Commission, whose existence is grounded in legislation. It was formed in 1986 in response to adding historic preservation zoning authority to New Jersey’s 1975 Municipal Land Use Law, which guides land use and development in our state.
Our commission, like those in other municipalities, exists to promote and encourage the identification, evaluation, designation and protection of local historic and archaeological resources. While some historic preservation commissions have regulatory powers, ours has only advisory power.
Members of the commission are appointed by the mayor, and serve four-year terms without compensation. The commission meetings are open to the public, and adhere to the policies of the state Open Public Meetings Act, commonly known as the “sunshine law.” Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the board room at the Ewing Senior and Community Center.
What specifically does the commission do? The historic preservation component of the N.J. Municipal Land Use Law authorizes all historic preservation commissions to:
Prepare and update an inventory of historic sites and buildings in the townshipProvide advisement to the appropriate regulatory boardsIdentify and locally designate historic sites, structures and districts, evaluating them against specific historic preservation criteriaPromote historic preservation in the local municipality through advisory, educational and informational effortsEncourage protection of historic properties through advisory/regulatory control.
So, the commission typically finds itself involved in the local designation of a structure or area as historic, in supporting a nomination of a site to the state register, in the review of additions or changes to historic properties, in the protection of designated properties, and/or in educating residents about historic preservation, among other things.
The Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society (or the Historic Society for short) has a much broader scope of interest. Launched in 1972, its mission is “to preserve and protect Ewing’s historic houses, buildings and sites; and to collect artifacts, books, photographs, manuscripts and related genealogical materials pertaining to the history of Ewing Township and the surrounding region.”
The society seeks to preserve the significant structures, artifacts and stories which tell of Ewing’s past, and to share those stories with its members and the public through its newsletters, programming and exhibits.
Annual membership is open to all, and is a bargain at $25 for individuals or $40 per family per year. Proceeds support the work of the society, including some expenses of the Benjamin Temple House, the restored 1750 farmhouse off Federal City Road which serves as the society’s home.
In addition to the exhibits of historical artifacts which change periodically, the Benjamin Temple House has a fairly extensive collection of books and documents of local history. It is generally open one day a week, and by appointment with the very helpful site manager, Ellie Calcagno, as well as on the first Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. for free tours of the building.
Meetings of the society generally occur on the second Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Benjamin Temple House. In addition, the group holds a variety of events during the year, including a flea market. The society is governed by a board of trustees, which also meets once a month. More information can be found on its website, ethps.org.
Because both groups are interested in helping to preserve historic homes, there are times when their missions overlap, their activities converge—and more confusion ensues! Past “historic house tours” are one such activity that might involve both groups.
But both groups depend on citizens with an interest in Ewing and in history to be effective organizations. If you are interested in being involved in either organization, feel free to contact them! I promise they will be pleased to hear from you!
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