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Historical Commission

Northampton Township was always a farming community, with just a few settlements near crossroads or mills. Not until the late 1800’s, did the villages of Richboro and Churchville grow, as retired farmers decided to build homes "in town."

Life was never dull for them or their counterparts on the farm. Activities, some of which are just memories now, were big political parades and Memorial Day parades to the local cemetery, church and school picnics, serenades of banging pots and pans at the homes of newlyweds, carnivals and dinners at the firehouse, chautauquas when people gathered to enjoy plays, reading poetry, and listen to and partake in discussions, and of course, the trips to and competition in the county fairs. Today, many landmarks have changed or disappeared, and new activities have replaced the old.

The Northampton Historical Commission hopes you will enjoy a peek into the past and the present of a rapidly growing community. We endeavored to give a personalized history of the area in which you live. We thank the many people, as well as the Bucks County Historical Commission, who supplied us with photographs and local information.

Members

• Michael Tomkins, Chairman
• Andrea Mangold, Vice-Chairman
• Maryanne Dobbins
• Brian Loughlin
• Nancy Kershaw
• Contact, Email

Meeting Schedule

3rd Thursday - 7:00 PM

Objectives

1. Promote an appreciation of local history by means of historical presentations and displays, the collection of local historical facts and data, and the preservation of local historical photos, sites and artifacts.
2. Support the study of local history in Northampton Township's schools. Promote The Feaster/Van Horn Cemetery (1748) as a "living historical record" for use in social studies classes by the Council Rock School District.
3. Maintain an archives room in the Northampton Library and make its collections available for public viewing on a scheduled basis.
4. Review All Building Plans of the Township and advise* the Board of Supervisors of the potential for preservation of early structures.
5. Support the Bucks County Conservancy.
6. Identify and acquire appropriate grants and fellowships to assist in achieving the objectives listed above.

* Historical Commission, by law, has 30 days to delay demolition of a structure.

Activities

"Winds of Change"

Illustrated history and atlas of the Township, authored by Virginia Geyer, longtime resident and member of both the Historical Commission and the Northampton Historical Society.

Videotape Programs

Video series showing old/grand structures across the Township.

Historical/Artifact Exhibits

Displayed at the door to the main reading room of the Library. Artifact and old photo collections are open to researchers twice per week.

Preservation

Notably the old David Cornell Manor House, and including the Ralph Samuels Farm; the oldest cemetery (1748); Twin Trees; Herzog Corners; the "Hip Roof House" near Chain Bridge. Many of the Township's oldest structures are surrounded by rapid and expanding development.

Reprints of Old Maps/Illustrations

Edith Berry's drawing of historic homes. Also a collection of photos of all Township homes over 50 years old.

Reviews of Building Plans

Reporting, in an advisory capacity, to the Board of Supervisors on potential for preservation before old structures can be demolished.

"The Wynkoop Dig"

Support of archeological studies by students of Bucks County Community College.

Churchville Historic District

Create a historic district of Victorian homes in the area.

Bucks County Roses Historical Review

This is regarding the proposed demolition of the southernmost greenhouse located on the Bucks County Roses Company's property located at 1235 Buck Road, Holland. The referenced business is owned and operated by Thomas and Fran Salvi, and Walter Mecleary.

On December 4, 2010, members of the Northampton Township Historical Commission conducted a site inspection and evaluation of the greenhouse that the Bucks County Roses Company is proposing to demolish. We met with the owners and their demolition contractor, and were given a tour of the facility. Bucks County Roses is planning on demolishing the southernmost greenhouse, while keeping the northern greenhouse (recently restored) that is still being used in connection with the rose growing business. The company plans to salvage various components from the southernmost greenhouse for future repairs to the greenhouse that will remain.

The Bucks County Roses greenhouses were built around 1920 by the notable greenhouse company, Lord and Burnham. The company, which began in Buffalo, New York in 1849, moved to Irvington, New Jersey in 1870 where they remained until the 1980s. Some of Lord and Burnham's notable works include the first steel-framed curvilinear greenhouse, built 1881, in the United States for railroad magnate, Jay Gould at his estate in Lyndhurst, NJ; and the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, one of the premier greenhouse facilities in the US erected in 1902 for the New York Botanical Garden. According to the archivist at the New York Botanical Garden, Lord and Burnham were the premier builders of glasshouses during the late nineteenth and early to mid-twentieth centuries.

In 1989, the Bucks County Roses Company property (1235 Buck Road) was surveyed during the Bucks County Heritage Conservancy's township-wide survey of historic resources. As a result of the survey and because of its association with the Lord and Burnham Company, the Heritage Conservancy recommended the property (including the greenhouses) be determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Although the greenhouse that is subject to be demolished is in need of repair it still maintains all of its basic structural elements and its ability to convey its historical significance. Therefore, it is the opinion of the Historical Commission that since it still retains enough of its historic architectural integrity it should still be considered a contributing resource to the National Register-eligible property.

It is the opinion of the Commission, however, that since the other greenhouse, which is a exact replica of the one to be demolished, will continued to be maintained, the overall property will still convey its significance as an early twentieth-century commercial greenhouse business associated with the Lord and Burnham Company. Since the property will continue to convey this significance even after the southernmost greenhouse is demolished, the Commission does not object to its demolition. It should be noted that the significance of the property hinges on the continued maintenance of the remaining greenhouse. Without the remaining greenhouse the property will cease to be significant.

In addition to the owner’s interest in salvaging parts from the greenhouse, the Commission reached out to other individuals and companies that have an interest in salvaging parts from vintage Lord and Burnham greenhouses. The Bucks County Roses Company and the demolition contractor have indicated that they are willing to work with such individuals. The contact information of any interested parties will be given to the owner of the property.

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