Preservationists Work To Restore 18th Century Caln Township Farm

CALN TWP — During the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a small group of historic preservationists were busy working to restore the 18th century barn at Spackman Farm along Kings Highway in Caln Township.

The township has committed to preserving the beauty of the rolling hills and historic buildings.

“To look out at the 91 acres of tranquility is like traveling back in time to a world untouched by modern growth,” Mark Evans, township commissioner and secretary of the Caln Township Historic Commission, said.

The goal is to open 11 acres of the property to the public for recreation including picnics, walking, running, biking and yoga, and restore the barn for a wedding venue and the farmhouse as an inn.

In 2001, the township purchased 129.5 acres of the farm for open space.

Four years later, the township purchased the barn, homestead and springhouse on 11 acres for $550,000.

A local farmer has been working the land while the township is working on restoring the barn.

So far, the township has replaced the roof at a cost of $131,000.

The next project is to repave the asphalt around the barn to prevent stormwater issues and make the property more aesthetically pleasing. The repaving project is estimated to cost $79,000.

The Spackman farm dates back to 1785, and has a history that includes sheltering a slave on the Underground Railroad to safety.