Picketing planned to save historic Mercersburg house
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When the British government failed to protect their homes and farms, residents of Pennsylvania's Conococheague Valley gathered in 1765 at a house in what is now Mercersburg to organize themselves into a militia.
That historic house may be demolished to make room for a volunteer fire company's expansion, and some 21st century residents plan to gather this weekend to oppose that plan.
"It will be a peaceful protest," said Tim McCown, a spokesman for the Committee to Save the Justice William Smith House. "We want the fire board to see that the community is behind saving the house."
Participants will gather at 8 a.m. today, Sunday and Monday in front of the property on Mercersburg's Main Street. They will hand out fliers describing the building's history and will outline efforts to rescue or relocate it.
The house and land on which it stands belong to the MMP&W Fire Co., which acquired them in August 2009. The initials in its name stand for the Franklin County communities it serves: Mercersburg, Montgomery, Peters and Warren. They are about 150 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
The site is next to the fire company's aging garage and headquarters. Fire officials have said they were interested in only the land. Plans to demolish the building, however, have been on hold since a Chambersburg physician came forward with a plan to relocate the house to a vacant lot across the street. That property had been occupied by a gas station. Dr. Paul Orange has said he was willing to cover the costs of moving the building if it will save it from demolition.
Dr. Orange placed $10,000 in an escrow account as a show of good faith while sporadic talks have continued with the firefighters and the demolition firm. The parties, however, have been unable to come to an agreement.
The relocation plan has support from Mercersburg Mayor James Zeger and some members of borough council. Dr. Orange said he was hoping to enlist their aid in setting up another meeting with the firefighters.
First Published February 5, 2011 12:00 am
