Endangered label could save aging Imlaystown
Tiny historic village
a glimpse into past

BY JANE MEGGITT

Staff Writer

The sleepy village of Imlaystown has made Preservation New Jersey’s (PNJ) list of New Jersey’s 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites.

Founded in 1978, PNJ is the only statewide, private membership-supported historic preservation organization in New Jersey, according to its Web site. Its mission, the Web site states, is "to sustain and enhance the vitality of the state’s communities by promoting and preserving their diverse historic resources." PNJ is also committed to working with and encouraging citizens across the state to participate, advocate and educate their communities about the endangered historic sites.

"The irony is that the more immediate and severe the threat, the better a site qualifies for designation," said John Fabiano, president of the Allentown-Upper Freehold Historical Society. "Until public policy makers realize the importance of historic preservation to the quality of life in a community, these threats will continue."

The endangered label may be good news for the village, said resident David Bardwil.

Bardwil, who had been considering buying a tax lien on an Imlaystown property, said the most endangered designation will give the village a "media blitz and spotlight.

"The town should use the momentum for grant money and state attention," Bardwil said.

The property Bardwil was interested in is near collapse, as are houses that are adjacent to it. At this point, according to Bardwil, because of potential environmental liability, he is not sure what to do.

"Right now, you can’t get certificates of occupancy, and you can’t dwell in the residences," he said.

"If it [the designation] can move forward, [then] they can take the town and turn it into something," he added.

Bardwil has heard different proposals for a revitalized Imlaystown.

"It could stay residential, [or] be a new town center [with] mixed or historic use," he said. "The church could be a museum-type property. There could be a public use in conjunction with the [county] park. The question is, how do we fix the problem?"

Still, he thinks the endangered listing is "tremendous ."

"It’s a small step, but it bumps it to the forefront," Bardwil said. "We have to do something with that."

The village was once the social, economic and political focus of Upper Freehold, according to PNJ. It consists of roughly 30, mostly mid-19th century structures that were rebuilt in 1898 after a fire.

Salter’s Mill, which is the most recognizable building in the village, takes its name from the Imlay family, the area’s major landowners in the colonial period. The mill is located on a 28-acre millpond that once supported an ice business as well as the mill, PNJ said.

While the village was somewhat revitalized in the 1990s, many of its buildings are now dilapidated.

Some are currently uninhabitable due to septic issues created by their proximity to Doctors Creek.

"The significance of Imlaystown lies less in the merits of individual buildings than [it does] in the overall feel of a mid-nineteenth century streetscape that appears to have been almost frozen in time," PNJ said.

The township’s master plan addresses the preservation of historic structures, rural character and open space, the organization stated.

"PNJ believes that there is no better place to confront these issues than by halting the decay of Imlaystown," according to the organization.

Fabiano is already at work planning an event where ideas for additional preservation and rehabilitation efforts can be discussed.

"It is hoped that this designation will encourage Upper Freehold to continue to seek grant funds in order to address the septic issue there, which in addition to the preservation of the village’s history, will improve the quality of life in the township in general," he said.

Township Board of Health Chairman S. Perrine Dey said at the May 11 board meeting that there is a possibility of getting funding from several sources.

"We may be able to present a plan to the Township Committee for their okay," Dey said. "The Board of Health will have to be the lead agency for constituting this plan."

Imlaystown is "on the radar" to move forward into the future, said Township Committeeman Stephen Alexander, who heads the township’s Economic Development Committee.