DIRECT PRESERVATION ACTION

The following is a sampling of some our favorite preservation projects which represent a combination of persistence, creativity and partnerships necessary to achieve success in their restoration, preservation and adaptive use.

Stevens and Smith Historic Site - Lancaster City
What began as a defense of preservation easements donated to the Trust in 1983 has today led to the development of the Stevens and Smith Historic Site, a major interpretive and education center devoted to the legacy of the great nineteenth century abolitionist, Thaddeus Stevens and his influential business manager and confidante, Lydia Hamilton Smith. Once completed, the site will encompass Stevens's residence and law office, several other related historic structures and new construction into a significant museum and commercial complex. What makes this project unique is that much of its architectural and archaeological features are integrated within the footprint of new convention center/hotel complex that once threatened to demolish these historic treasures. Taken together, these two projects now underpin a major revitalization of the downtown Lancaster historic district. For much more information on the historic site project, click here to visit the Stevens and Smith Historic Site.

Blighted Historic Site Properties

Artist’s Conception of Stevens & Smith Historic Site Complex

Franciscus-Carpenter House - West Lampeter Township
The most significant part of one of the seven earliest farmsteads in Lancaster County, the circa 1750s era Franciscus-Carpenter farmhouse was slated for demolition to make way for new athletic fields for a local school district. The Trust worked with the school district in developing a preservation plan that included subdivision, installation of all modern utilities placed underground, and complete restoration and rehabilitation by a dedicated developer. This property and its preservation was prominently featured in This Old House magazine.

Rieber House - Manor Township
The Trust, working with partners from the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, Lancaster County Environmental Foundation, Manor Township and several descendents of the Rieber family, facilitated moving this historic 1700s era settler's farmhouse to a newly created township park site and carefully restoring the exterior. It will eventually be adaptively re-used as a community environmental and education center as part of the Manor Township park system.

Reiber House on road to new home on road especially built for the move.

Rieber House e at new location with completed exterior restoration.

171 East King Street - Lancaster City
A fire gutted the historic corner property at King and Lime Streets in early 2002. The Trust underwrote a loan from our Heritage Preservation Fund which, combined with city and county funds, was able to stabilize the building for future development. We are happy to report that the stabilization effort was successful in that it attracted a development company that purchased the property, restored its façade and rehabilitated it into commercial office space in a tax credit eligible project.

Reiber House on road to new home on road especially built for the move.

Rieber House e at new location with completed exterior restoration.

Nathaniel Ellmaker House - Salisbury Township (Gap)
This extremely blighted property was once the manor home of prominent Lancaster attorney and legislator, Nathaniel Ellmaker. The Trust, working with Salisbury Township, the develop/owner, and Auntie Anne's Pretzels developed a preservation plan that helped us acquire the building, preserving it and transferring it to Auntie Anne's for restoration and adaptive use as a successful corporate bed and breakfast facility.

Before restoration and preservation

Conversion to a successful Corporate B&B

Bowsmansville Roller Mill
The Trust acquired the Bowmansville Roller Mill property, which included one of the best restored water powered mills in the world and accompanying sawmill and worker's house, as an estate donation. New roofing, surveying and subdivision, plumbing, pest control, sewer installation and legal and preservation counsel were necessary to bring the property into top condition for long-term preservation. As part of our preservation plan, we sold the subdivided property to new owners who agreed to maintain the facilities. The properties are permanently protected by historic preservation and conservation easements held by the Trust while the mill and sawmill are open for seasonal public demonstrations.

South Duke Street Façade Restoration and Rehabilitation - Lancaster City
Partnering with the Inner City Group, the Trust provided grants to help restore and rehabilitate row home facades in revitalizing area of South Duke Street. In turn, the Trust was granted preservation covenants on several facades to assure their continued maintenance.

Care and Maintenance of the Sehner-Ellicott-von Hess House
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Sehner-Ellicott-von Hess House now serves as the headquarters of the Trust. It was here that nationally renowned surveyor Andrew Ellicott trained Captain Meriwether Lewis on those navigation techniques vital to the success of the famed Lewis & Clark Expedition of 1803. Originally built in 1787 by master craftsman, Gottlieb Sehner, this grand example of Georgian architecture was almost demolished for urban renewal until saved by the founders of the Trust in 1966. The house was completely restored by the Louise Steinman von Hess Foundation between 1978 and 1981 and has been open to the public since. Today, the Trust's House Committee provides care and maintenance for this architectural treasure.

Heritage Preservation Fund