PRESERVATION PENNSYLVANIA
PRESERVATION FUND OF PENNSYLVANIA
APPLICATION
Please note : maximum request is $50,000 loan or grant/loan combination.
APPLICANT ORGANIZATION
1. Name of Organization:
Southampton Railroad Station Society
Address:
PO Box 276
City: Southampton, PA
Zip: 18966
Telephone: (215) 757-7355
Fax:
2. Staff or Volunteer Contact:
Jon Frey
Title: Director
Address:
3049 Almond Street
City: Philadelphia PA
Zip: 19134-5810
Telephone (office) (215) 634-2997 (home) (215) 634-7976
FAX:
Email: jfrey40535@outlook.com
3. Processing Fee: $25 for institutional members $75 for non-members (includes a
one year membership)
Membership category: N/A
Year joined: 2013
4. IRS Determination:
Section 501(c)(3) _X_Yes __No
If no, explain organization's current status
5. Organization founding date:
Number of members: 25
PROJECT INFORMATION
1. Name of project: Roof and Chimney Restoration
2. Location (street address, city, county):
609 Second Street Pike, Southampton PA 18966
3. Property Owner (if different from applicant)
Name: SEPTA
Mailing Address: 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
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PROJECT INFORMATION (continued)
4. Property size:
Building size: 1,200 sq ft
Zoning: Commercial
Current use: Inactive railroad station
Condition of property
__Excellent __Good __Fair _X_Poor
5. Are there any consultants under contract on the project?
__Yes _X_No
If yes, list names below:
6. Fund category (check one):
_X_ Acquisition Loan/Grant __ Loan
7. Project Summary: Include project purpose, significance, workplan, and timetable.
Use only the space provided.
The overall project involves the complete interior and exterior restoration of the Southampton Station
structure which was designed by the noteworthy Philadelphia architect Theophilus Parsons Chandler, Jr.
and constructed by the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad in 1892 on the railroad’s Newtown Branch. The
structure was used as a railroad station until it was closed by SEPTA in 1983 in conjunction with
suspension of rail service on the line.
In the immediate request, the Southampton Railroad Station Society requests funding to repair and
rehabilitate the original slate roof of the railroad station building, and to reconstruct the original brick
chimney from the basement to the roof.
8. Describe role and importance of Preservation Fund support:
The role of the preservation fund is to provide non-profit organizations the ability to acquire funding to
complete projects of local, statewide or national historical significance.
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9. Describe nature and extent of involvement, support, endorsement, or opposition to
the project by other organizations or agencies.
Co-sponsors/cooperating organizations:
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Bureau for Historic Preservation:
Local preservation organization/historical society: The restoration of the Southampton
railroad station is supported by the Upper Southampton Township Historical & Advisory board.
Local HARB or historic commission (if property is included in a locally designated
historic district):
Local planning agency: Upper Southampton Planning Commission, Bucks County Planning
Commission
Other agencies/organizations/institutions: This project is supported by the Delaware Valley
chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and was awarded funding for a construction project in
2012.
11. Describe the project's origin and present status:
The current project was developed by the Society’s architect and Vice President James
Rose in conjunction with a masonry contractor local to Upper Southampton Township.
The overall restoration project was initiated in 2007 by a group of railroad historians
connected to the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum, former Reading Railroad employees
and members of the Delaware Valley chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.
To date, two capital projects have been completed: restoration of electric service and
reconstruction of the building’s foundation.
12. Project Personnel (list below and attach resumes): Board of Directors: James Day,
James Rose, Regina Frey, Paul Iverson, Donald Reese, Frank Baldwin, Charles
Liberto, Jon Frey
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PROJECT INFORMATION (continued)
13. Describe any imminent threat/danger to the property:
While the overall building is structurally sound, as evaluated by township code
enforcement and SEPTA, the building is in a state of decay and suffers most from rotted
shingles and roof rafters. Repair of the roof and building exterior in the near term is the
key to the overall success of the project.
PROPERTY BACKGROUND
1. Historic name(s) of property: Southampton Station
2. Date(s) of construction and dates of subsequent major additions/alterations: 1892, no
major additions/alterations on record
3. Architect/builder: Theophilus Parsons Chandler, Jr.
4. Brief statement of property's historic/architectural significance:
The depot building is a 30’- 6“by 16’-7” rectangular balloon frame building with a shingle skin.
The building features a gable roof that springs from 3’ high knee walls on the second floor. Also
of interest are the remains of the manual signal control system under the floor in the station
and in a trench down the platform. The signal mast from the 1920’s is still in place. The
restoration of this historic structure represents a unique opportunity to preserve a rare surviving piece
of the 19th century legacy of the Reading Railroad in Bucks County. The track adjacent to the station will
also be restored and will be used to exhibit a static display of historic Reading Railroad rolling stock and
equipment. The semaphore mast will be restored to operating condition.
5. Brief physical description of property:
6. Is the property or any portion of the property recognized in federal, state, and/or
local surveys or registers? __Yes _X_No
__ Listed in Pennsylvania at Risk Year _____
__ Listed on local endanger properties list
__ In locally designated historic district (Name of district)
__ Local Survey (note survey title/organization responsible)
__ Survey information submitted to Bureau for Historic Preservation
__ Eligible for National Register
__ Listed in the National Register of Historic Places
__ HAB/HAER documentation
__ National Historic Landmark
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PROJECT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
1. Financial Projections. Itemize the financial projection/budget for the project.
Include sources (and levels of funding expected) and anticipated project costs.
Attach additional pages as necessary to provide a complete breakdown of income
and expense projections. Also attach evidence of anticipated or committed
funding if available.
2. Funding requested from the Preservation Fund:
3. Describe the collateral to be used for the loan:
The Society is seeking a grant to complete the immediate project.
4. List other any other funding sources that have been or will be solicited for this
project (include name, status, and amounts requested):
CHECKLIST
The following items must accompany this application form. No application will be
considered unless all the items listed below have been submitted. These materials will
not be returned.
__ Copy of the organization's charter of incorporation
__ Copy of the organization's bylaws
__ List of the organization's current board of directors
__ Copy of IRS determination letter granting tax exempt status
__ Organization's most recent annual report
__ Organization's most recent audit and financial statements
__ Photographic documentation that shows both general views and significant details of
the project property
__ Letters of endorsement and support (optional)
__ Check for the processing fee ($25 for member organizations; $75 for nonmembers)
Make check payable to: Preservation Pennsylvania
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SUBMITTAL AUTHORIZATION
As a duly authorized representative of _The Southampton Railroad Station Society,
I submit this loan request to the Preservation Fund of Pennsylvania.
____________________________________ ______________________________
Signature Please type or print name
Title:
Date:
Please mail completed application, supporting materials, and application fee to:
Preservation Pennsylvania
257 North Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Tel. 717-234-2310
Fax 717-234-2522
info@preservationpa.org
www.preservationpa.org
Please allow 30 days for application review.