BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA — Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo walked the empty Neshaminy Mall corridors and watched as crews boxed up the three remaining dioramas to be saved for preservation.
"It's a big day for Bensalem, and the history of Bensalem," the mayor said while inside the mall. "This is something we really want to get done."
The mall closed after 58 years of operation at the end of the month.
On Tuesday, the township's Parks and Recreation staff and Building Maintenance staff crated the dioramas and removed them from the mall, which is expected to be demolished by the end of the year.
Since the closure announcement, the mayor has been committed to preserving these pieces of history in the township.
The dioramas will remain in the township's care until appropriate locations are identified for their future display and preservation.
DiGirolamo said that planning also continues for the historic Indian statue, which remains a priority for the mayor.
"The Township is actively exploring how it can be thoughtfully incorporated into the new property so it can continue to be part of the community for years to come," officials said.
While the mall will be demolished, the AMC-24 Movie Theater, Boscov's and Barnes and Noble, will remain.
The Bucks County Redevelopment Authority is helping in the makeover of the 108.5 acre-site property located on Route 1 near the PA Turnpike.
The mall was sold in September 2024 to Paramount Realty.
The township thanked the Historical Society of Bensalem Township; Scott Perry, Property Manager of the Neshaminy Mall with Paramount Realty, and Greg Minetola of Best Line Equipment, whose support and equipment were involved in the removal.
"Preserving these familiar pieces of our community's past is about more than saving displays — it is about protecting the memories, stories, and history that generations of Bensalem residents share," officials said.
Bucks County's first shopping mecca lost a chuck of customers when anchor stores closed with Macy's in 2017 and Sears in 2018.
The Neshaminy Mall was also the site for circuses, ice rinks, and carnivals over the years.
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