Friends of Strode's Mill
Save historic Strode's Barn
Mission: Friends of Strode’s Mill is a nonprofit organization that strives to preserve, protect, educate and advocate for the natural and historic resources in and around Strode’s Mill National Register Historic District of East Bradford Township.
Stream Restoration Task force unveils results of planning
The Plum Run Task Force was established in 2015 to guide the development of a Master Plan for the Plum Run Corridor, which includes Strodes Barn. They began by assessing the existing conditions of the barn. It was clear to all that the newer, cinderblock building required selective demolition to avoid total collapse--the sooner the better.
The stone building, which is older, was in better condition. It would need a new shake roof and some masonry repairs, but could be saved.
Architect Richard Buchanan supervised drawings of the existing conditions which provide an accurate baseline for all our projects going forward. In a nod to local sentiment, his team suggested replicating the famous "Scrapple" sign on the remaining building.
The Township has also retained Natural Lands Trust for property assessment and maintenance planning relative to the agricultural easement on the property. NLT has completed their process of investigation and planning.
Specific uses of the property are now proposed in the Master Plan, but will depend on easements, environmental requirements, and funding available from public and private sources.
The Task Force was composed by East Bradford to ensure wide and deep expertise in imagining the Barn's future. It included three members of the Friends of Strodes Mill Board at the time: Linda Kaat, Andy Schaum and Mary Sue Boyle, as well as architect Richard Buchanan, Jimmer Breen, Mark Hoopes, Mandy Cantlin, Mike Lynch, Barbara Rutz and Karen Marshall.
Drawing of the Task Force's recommended future state of the barn. The older structure is retained and renovated for future use; the cinderblock structure selectively demolished. Natural Lands Trust was retained to help imagine the future of the site's land and water resource.