Burlington County is set to receive a significant financial boost for one of its most important historical sites. The New Jersey Historic Trust has recommended a $750,000 grant to continue preservation work at the historic Smithville Park in Eastampton.
The funds are designated for the stabilization and repair of fourteen structures within the park, including the prominent wall that surrounds the Smithville Mansion. This grant arrives as the county commemorates a major milestone in the park's history.
Key Takeaways
- Burlington County's Smithville Park is recommended for a $750,000 historic preservation grant.
- The funds will be used to repair 14 historic structures and the Smithville Mansion wall.
- The grant coincides with the 50th anniversary of the county's purchase and transformation of the site.
- This is part of a larger $13.8 million statewide preservation initiative funded by corporate business tax revenues.
A Major Investment in Local History
The proposed $750,000 grant represents a critical investment in maintaining the integrity of Smithville, a former 19th-century industrial village that now serves as a central hub for community recreation and education. The project will address pressing structural needs across the park's historic buildings.
Officials emphasized the importance of this funding for safeguarding the county's heritage. The work will ensure that these structures, which tell the story of the area's industrial past, remain standing for future generations to experience.
"Burlington County’s historic sites are precious assets and Smithville is unquestionably one of the most important," said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel, who serves as liaison to the Department of Resource Conservation and Parks.
Celebrating a 50-Year Legacy
The timing of the grant recommendation is particularly significant. This year, 2025, marks the 50th anniversary of Burlington County's acquisition of the Smithville property. In 1975, the county purchased what had largely become a ghost town for just over $595,000.
That purchase was the first step in creating the county's first park. Over the past five decades, the site has been transformed from a collection of decaying industrial buildings into a vibrant public space.
Smithville by the Numbers
- 1975: Year the county purchased the property.
- $595,000: Original purchase price paid by the county.
- $17.5 Million: Total investment by the county in preservation and enhancements since acquisition.
- 14: Number of structures targeted for repair with the new grant.
"It was a visionary decision in 1975, and decades later, the park is still the crown jewel of our expanded park system," Eckel added. The county's long-term commitment is evident in the more than $17.5 million invested in preservation, restoration, and park enhancements over the years.
From Industrial Hub to County Park
Smithville's history stretches back long before its industrial prime. The oldest property on the site, the Thomas Merritt House, was built in 1786. The area is also believed to have been the site of a Lenape village and operated a grist mill during the American Revolution.
The village's most famous era began in 1865 when industrialist Hezekiah B. Smith purchased the town, then known as Shreveville. He transformed it into a bustling industrial center, home to the H.B. Smith Machine Company. The factory produced advanced woodworking machines and the iconic American Star bicycle, distributing them nationwide.
After the factory ceased operations in the 1950s, the village fell into decline. The county's intervention in 1975 saved it from being lost to time.
What is Smithville Park Today?
Since its transformation, Smithville Park has become a multifaceted destination. Beyond its historical buildings, the park now includes Smith’s Woods Park, a floating trail across Smithville Lake, fishing docks, pavilions, and a modern playground. It also serves as a cultural center, housing two art galleries and the Underground Railroad Museum of Burlington County in a restored worker's cottage.
Part of a Statewide Preservation Effort
The grant for Smithville is one of 67 projects recommended for funding by the New Jersey Historic Trust, an affiliate of the state's Department of Community Affairs. In total, the recommended grants amount to $13.8 million for historic preservation projects across New Jersey.
Several other Burlington County sites were also recommended for funding, including:
- $94,387 for the Roebling Museum in Florence.
- $39,465 for Willingboro Township's City Federal Savings and Loan Space Bank Futuro site.
- $21,712 for the Whitesbog Preservation Trust in Pemberton Township.
The funding for these grants is sourced from New Jersey's corporate business tax revenues, which are specifically dedicated to open space, farmland, and historic preservation. The recommendations from the Historic Trust are now pending final approval from the New Jersey Legislature and the Governor as part of the standard state appropriations process.
