If awarded, the grant will allow the township to set up a viewing display at the farmstead’s forge barn for the property’s antique farming tools.
Residents wanting to check out some historical artifacts at Barclay Farmstead outside of the farmhouse’s open hours may soon have that chance.
At Monday’s Cherry Hill Township Council meeting, a resolution was passed for the township to apply for a $10,000 Camden County Open Space, Farmland, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund Grant. If received, the grant will be used for exhibit improvements at Barclay Farmstead. The historic property is celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2016.
Megan Brown, director of recreation for Cherry Hill Township, said the township is hoping to receive the grant so it can set up a display at the forge barn on the farmstead property. The forge barn is located the right of the farmhouse next to the parking lot.
There are a number of antique farming tools used for demonstrations at the farmstead. The tools are used mostly on the school tours to show how farmers used to work in the 1800s.
Brown said while the tools are a big hit for the school tours, resident don’t usually get an opportunity to see them.
“There is not much when you’re wandering around that talks about the farming at Barclay,” Brown said.
The grant money would be used to set up a window display at the forge barn. The tools would be places inside the windows, allowing anyone passing through the farmstead to take a look at the antiques.
