Council Endorses Lampkin House Stabilization Plan

Pledges of support from preservationists convinced a dubious City Council to take the first step Monday to save the city's oldest residence by seeking grant money to stabilize the building.

The council agreed to apply for a $63,750 grant from the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund for Lampkin House, where a Revolutionary War militiaman once lived. The city will have to match the grant. The full cost of restoring the home could top $1 million, but preservationists have already offered personal funds and an investment banker turned fundraiser said he will guide establishment of a non-profit group to garner capital.

"I'm really impressed with the local energy," Erick Torain said.

Having already assisted other organizations including the Central Jersey Arts Charter School and the African-American Fund pre-school program in Plainfield, Torain said he did not see the Lampkin House challenge as insurmountable.

Speakers encouraging the council to approve pursuit of the grant included Sandy Gurshman, chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission; Eloise Tinley and Nancy Piwowar of the Historical Society of Plainfield; and Barbara Fuller, who has held city and county preservation posts. Fuller detailed the city's historic preservation movement and its many enthusiasts who see Lampkin House as "the next opportunity."

Piwowar said the city could capitalize on growing trends for cultural, military and geneaology tourism, especially related to the "Crossroads of the Revolution" if the Lampkin House is restored.

Council members' reservations included the small amount of money pledged compared to the projected cost of restoring the property, but then agreed to aim for stabilization of the property before it becomes unrecoverable.

"My concern was with the project's ability to sustain itself," Councilman Adrian Mapp said. Encouraged by the plan to establish a non-profit support organization, he said, "I look forward to seeing it become a reality."

Councilwoman Vera Greaves said she would vote "yes" on the grant application with the proviso that advocates would not come back looking for more money from the city.

Councilman Cory Storch said of the project, "It's a gamble," but joined in the unanimous vote to approve the grant request.

--Bernice