The Beginning....
On October 4, 1982, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission dedicated the Thomas Rutter Mansion, commonly called the Manor House on the campus of Pine Forge Academy, as a historic site. This momentous occasion was due largely to the efforts of Charles D. Battles, a dedicated history teacher at Pine Forge Academy. However, it was not until 1994 when two interested members of the Dupont Park SDA Church in Washington, DC., Mr. Alvin Singleton and Dr. Stephney Keyser began to explore what could be done to restore the valuable historic sites on the Pine Forge Academy campus. Their quest began with a visit to the offices of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. A representative of that office had previously visited the academy campus in 1992 at the request of Elder Larry Johnson. On that visit he gathered a significant amount of historical information on the buildings and land. As a result of that exploratory visit, it was determined that Pine Forge historic district met National Register criteria and the site probably contained information valuable to the history of not only Pennsylvania but our nation. Later, Dr. Keyser attended a workshop conducted by the Commission in Altoona, Pennsylvania on historic preservation.
In 1999, the Pine Forge Academy Historical Restoration Committee was formed and organized as a result of Dr. Keyser's perserverance. One of the first tasks for the Committee was to obtain the PFA Board of Trustees' approval to solicit funds and secure grants to restore the historic sites on the campus. This committee of volunteers has published and distributed several newsletters to interested parties. An article was also published in the February 15, 2003 Columbia Union VISITOR (Volume 108, Issue 3) entitled "Treasure at the Pine".
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission awarded the Committee a technical assistance grant in December, 1999. The assigned consultant, Bob Gingerich, creative director and direcgtor emeritus of the North Museum in Lancaster, Pennsylvania commended on the comprehensive long-range plan developed by the Pine Forge Academy Historical Restoration Committee. He was impressed with the site and its importance to American histosry. Later that month, the Committee applied for designation to the National Trust for Historic Preservation to become a "Save America's Treasures" project. The application was approved and the "Save America Treasurers Certificate is dated January 11, 2000. The Thomas Rutter Manor House, Caretaker's Cottage, Grist Mill, Iron Forge and Tunnels were apart of this preservation project.
2000 and 2001 - Restoration Fund Raiser Gala
The Committee composed of volunteers all in various professional fields, initiated plans for a fund raising gala. The gala was held at the Marriott Hotel in Crystal City, Virginia on April 9, 2000. Although the gala was planned for 700 only 330 attended. After evaluation of the event, the Committee recognized that the timing of the gala conflicted with the World Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and Homecoming at Oakwood College. The gala netted $1,354, which was enough to provide stamps and stationery for a mail order campagian that followed.
The Committee researched the possibility of available grants and also visited several historic sites in Pennsylvania and Virginia. An application was submitted to the Stewart Hurston Charitable Trust in Coatsville, Pennyslvania. In September 2000, a grant of $37,500 was awarded. This grant permitted the Committee to hire John Milner Architects, Inc. of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. The Milner firm specializes in historic restoration and is on the list of recommended architectural firms that is published by the Pennsylvania Museum and Historical Commission and the U.S. Department of Interior National Park Service. One of Milner's many projects was the restoration of Pottsgrove Manor in nearby Pottstown. John Milner teaches historic restsoration at the University of Pennyslvania. One of his students Ms. Pilar LaValley, selected the Pine Forge Historic Sites as the subject of her Masters thesis.
2002 - First Restoration Grant
The PFA Historical Restoration Committee filed an application for a U.S. Park Service GRant in 2002 to help with the Pine Forge restoration project. Around the end of that year, the U.S. Park Service Grant Office notified the Committee that the application for funding was rejected because the Pine Forge historic property was owned and manged by the church (Allegheny East Conference of SDA), The legal opinion stated it was a violation of the establishment clause pursant to 'a conflict between church and state'. To remedy this barrier, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the U.S. Park Service Historic Sites Office advised the Committee (1) to form a non-profit corporation and (2)to lease the Pine Forge Historic Sites for 50 years from Allegheny East Conference officials.
2003 - The Memorable Year
The Committee voted to change its name to the Pine Forge Historical Society, Inc.
A Black History Essay Contest Committee was formed by the PFHS to motivate student awareness of the treasures on their academy campus. Students were asked to write "What the history of Pine Forge means to me" The first place $100 U.S. Savings Bond went to Manushka Gemain; the second place $75 U.S. Savings Bond went to Jessica Johnson and the third place $50 U.S. Savings Bond went to Ureille Goddard.
The PFHS prepared a constitution and by-laws for the Committee. An application for tax exemption for non-profit status was also obtained. The IRS granted the PFHS 501(c)(3) status.
In May 2003, the architect firm of John Milner, Inc. completed the preservation report for the Pine Forge Historic sites. The report included architects plans; drawings; complete mechanical, electrical and plumbing assessments and cost estimates. The Manor House restoration plan included an exhibit section, a gift shop and student store, library and staff offices as well as public restrooms. The commissary (smoke house building) will be restored as an exhibit. The restored caretaker's cottage will be a residence for the manager of the historic sites. Cost estimates are as follows:
Manor House $1,489.979
Commissary 409,002
Caretaker's Cottage 226,748
________
Grand Total $2,125,729
Also in the report is a detailed list of priorities that need immediate attention to prevent further deterioraton of the properties.
Pilar LaValley, John Milner's student, completed her thesis on the Pine Forge Historic sites. A copy was placed in the academy library. She also completed the PFHS application to the Pennsylvania Museum and Historical Commission for the Pine Forge Historic sites to be designated a National Momument of national significance. This work was completed pro bono.
The Committee of the Pine Forge Historic Society was on "cloud nine" when it received notification that the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission that the Pine Forge Rutter Mansion and Industrial Site was entered in the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register of Historic Places, kept by the U.S. Department of Interior National Park Service is the official list of our nation's historic places worthy of preservation.
2004 - The Awarding Year
In October of 2004, the Committee held an Award Ceremony and Reception. Members of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Historic Preservation and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission were on hand along with members of the Committee, the Academy Faculty and student body for this momentous occasion
In November of 2004, The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum accepted the Committee's Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Applicated and awarded the Committee a $90,000 matching grant.
2005 - A Year of Loss
Two key members of the Committe battled cancer during the course of 2005. On October 9, Dr. Stephney Keyser passed away. A special Musical Celebration of Life featuring the Pine Forge Academy Choir was held in her honor at the Community Praise SDA Church in Alexandria, Virginia. Charles D. Battles, Committee Member, served as Acting President, keeping the Committee together until a permanenet president was selected to fill the position of Dr. Keyser.
2006 - Another Year of Loss But One of Continued Peserverance
Ms. Nancy Crawford, Vice President of the PFHS, who assisted the late Dr. Keyser passed away from cancer on May 15.
The Committee had lost two stalwart leaders and workers but the Committee struggled to continue.
In October of 2006, Mr. Alphonso Mitchell, Entrepreneur and alumnus of the academy was selected to led the Committee and continue to fulfill the dream and hard work of its founder and leader Dr. Stephney Keyser.
2007 - Year of Revitalization and Growth
Under the dynamic leadership of the new president, the roof of the Rutter Mansion, (Manor House) was completely replaced to prevent further deterioration. Other external and internal renovations are currently underway. Several new members have joined the exisitng Board of Directors to see the total renovation project through to completion. |
