Bartram Covered Bridge Board Praises Local Tradesmen and Community Contributions For Necessary Restorations; Phase 1 Complete, Phase 2 Underway

The Bartram Bridge Joint Preservation Board at its April 14, 2014 meeting announced the completion of Phase 1 of The Bartram Covered Bridge restoration with the installation of a new metal standing seam roof. The new roof, historically accurate, and sporting a metallic dark gray color, replaced the deteriorating and rotting Cedar shake shingle roof . The old Cedar shake roof was originally installed 20 years ago as part of a major restoration of the historic covered bridge.

The Board also praised local Newtown Square tradesmen and local contributions of funds and expertise, made in order to complete much – needed restoration and repairs.

The local tradesmen and residents praised by the Bartram Bridge board for completion of Phase 1 Included : Rich Geraghty and sons Sean and John , of R. Geraghty Roofing Specialists; Edward Johnston of E Johnston Builders Inc, and crew member Jim Bell.;  Gary Zebra, of Aquatech Power Washing Services; and Tony Massimino of JPS Container Service.  Phase 2 local tradesmen will be named shortly.

According to Eric D Gerst, Esq., Chairman Of the Bartram Board, and a Willistown resident, “We praise and thank the local tradesmen and citizens for pitching in and contributing to complete this most necessary work to preserve an historic icon in our midst, the Bartram Covered Bridge. Phase 1 is complete, Phase 2 will be underway in the summer”

Rich Geraghty Roofing Specialist, Newtown Square

The new metal roof was completed in Late December 2013 and Early January 2014 by local contractor and roofing specialist Richard Geraghty , and his 2 sons Sean and John, and a roofing crew, all of the firm R. Geraghty Roofing Specialists, of Newtown Square PA.

Late in the planning process, Geraghty, and Bartram board Member Edward Johnston, head of E Johnston Builders Inc. Of Newtown Square PA, convinced the Bartram board that a metal standing seam roof would hold up much better than a Cedar shake roof. Normally Cedar shake roofs last about 15 years.

The Board checked several sources (including a memo written by the late board member and Willistown resident George Conn) and found that Metal roofs are historically accurate and last much longer. Even though the metal roof was more expensive, Geraghty ‘s company offered to make a contribution of materials and additional labor to cover the overage.

Geraghty stated “I grew up in the Echo Valley Section of Newtown Square and currently live in Broomall PA with my family.  I have fond memories of growing up with the Bartram bridge and spent many happy hours there. Therefore when the call came out that the Bartram Covered Bridge was in need of serious roof repair, I was pleased to be there and contribute to the history of this community.”

Edward Johnston Of E Johnston Builders Inc., Newtown Square

Also busy as part of the construction team to replace the Bartram Bridge roof was Newtown Township resident and Bartram board member Edward Johnston. Johnston’s Company , E Johnston Builders Inc., volunteered to supply labor to complete the plywood roof underlayment... Johnston also was responsible for tightening up the bolts on the bridge, and recommending structural improvements to the bridge.

Tony Massimino , JPS Container Services , Newtown Square

Another Newtown Township resident , Tony Massimino, of JPS Container Services, contributed several large dumpsters to haul away the rotted and decaying roof materials, which saved rental or purchase of the dumpsters. The roofing crew was conscious of the Crum Creek which flows below Bartram Bridge, and any debris from the removal of old roof shingles was promptly deposited in the dumpsters and hauled away.

Gary Zebra, Aquatech Power Washing Services, Newtown Square

Another Newtown Township contractor participating in the restoration for phase 1, and preparation for phase 2, was Gary Zebra , head of Aquatech Power Washing Services of Newtown Square, PA.  Zebra’s company gave the Bartram Bridge a power wash during the phase 1 restoration, and after all of the roof construction was completed.

Phase 2 Of Bridge Restoration Starts This Summer

Johnston , head of the Bartram Board restoration committee , gave details of what will be included in phase 2. According to Johnston, “Specific projects are still being prioritized for Phase 2 , based upon funds available. They will include: shoring up cracks in the foundation support abutments, having the bridge re-stained with bright red Bartram Bridge colors, and possibly the addition of new siding. The project will also include landscaping, tree removal of overhanging trees, split rail fencing, signage, security, and new lighting. All of these projects are anticipated to be done by local contractors, together with some resident volunteers.”

Members of the Bartram Bridge Restoration Committee include: Edward Johnston, Committee Chairman; as well as The Bartram Bridge board members as a committee of the whole, including Kerk Farrell, Eric D Gerst, Judy Radano, and Janice Elston.

New “Lincoln Graffiti “ Research On the Bridge

Board Chairman Gerst announced there will be an additional project regarding definitive location and highlighting and display of the Lincoln graffiti . According to Gerst, “ 2 historians have written about historic graffiti on the bridge, which says “Lincoln Save the Congress and the Union’ but right now , it is not visible to the naked eye . However we have recently discovered new computerized equipment and experts which could possibly assist in positively identifying this unique historic graffiti, so we can preserve it for the public, once and for all.”

 Gerst announced that this project will be coordinated by Willistown resident Christopher Gallagher a former UC Berkeley professor of metallurgy, and businessman, who volunteered and has had a keen interest in this project for years.. Gallagher is serving as The Bartram Bridge historian.

Gallagher is the husband of former Bartram Board Member Patricia Gallagher . Ms. Gallagher served on the Bartram board for 5 years.

Contributions Sought

Board Member Janice Elston announced that the Bartram Board will be setting up a 501(C)(3) nontaxable charitable foundation to accept contributions and to establish a permanent fund for the preservation, restoration and overall improvement of the Bartram Bridge site and its surrounding park-like land areas.

“We would like to establish a substantial fund from local citizens, and others who have fond memories of the bridge and would like to ensure that this historic treasure remains with us in proper condition always. We will be planning a contribution recognition program, which may include buying brick pavement with the contributors name, or other types of signage recognition for the contributors. Of course we can accept charitable contributions now, even before the 501(C)(3) is completed, and which will be earmarked for the bridge”

Construction Funds and Township Involvement

Construction Funds for Phase 1 And Phase 2 Of the Bartram Bridge Restoration were provided by Willistown Township and Newtown Township, as well as local individual contributors.

Gerst expressed thanks to Willistown Township and Newtown Township officials. He stated that advice and oversight has been given to the Bartram board by the Willistown Township Supervisors and solicitors, as well as Township manager Dave Burman, and Public Works Manager William Hagan.

Gerst also had praise for Newtown Township’s advise and oversight given to the Bartram board by the Newtown Township supervisors, as well as Township manager Mike Trio and public works director George Sharretts

All Construction and restoration is being provided by local tradesmen under a contract. In addition, the local tradesmen have contributed excess additional labor , consultation and design. This, as well as historical expertise are being provided by all local tradesmen, at no cost to the bridge restoration project.

$1000 Contribution From Theodore Burr Historical Covered Bridge Society in honor of the deceased Bartram Board Member George Conn

Also at the April 2014 Bartram Board Meeting,  Chairman Gerst formally acknowledged , with thanks, that the Bartram Board received a check for $1000 from the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania” from one of the Theodore Burr Society officers , Ms. Tina Conn. Ms. Conn said that the check was presented in January 2014 in honor of the late George Conn, himself a Bartram Board Member, and an expert on covered bridges. Before he died, Conn is said to have visited more than 800 covered bridges in the United States and overseas. “We appreciate the contribution of the Theodore Burr society to the Bartram bridge.. George Conn’s death was a big loss to his family, the community, and the Bartram Board”, said Janice Elston, a current and long-standing Bartram board member, and Former Chairman

Bartram Bridge History

The Bartram Bridge, named after the family that donated the land for the bridge, was built in 1860 at the time of Pres. Abe Lincoln. . It was built under a competitive bid process for $1133 by local builder Ferdinand Wood. To rebuild it now entirely, it would cost in hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Bridge is listed on the US Department of Interior’s National List of Historic Places, and a bronze Plaque Is attached to the Bridge on the Newtown Square Side announcing this..

Located at Boot and Goshen Road, Newtown Square PA. The 80 foot wooden bridge structure crosses the Crum Creek between Newtown Township Delaware County PA and Willistown Township Chester County PA. It is the sole remaining covered bridge in Delaware County PA , The Bartram Bridge is one of only 15 remaining covered bridges in Chester County PA. Most of the bridges in were destroyed as a result of vandalism, fire, neglect, or general deterioration.

The Bartram Board

The Board consists of 5 residents of either Willistown or Newtown Townships, and are appointed by the Township supervisors . The Bartram board was established in 1993 with a separate ordinance by each Township, operating pursuant to an intergovernmental statute which allowed to townships to cooperate in such projects..

The current members of the Bartram board are: Willistown Township residents Eric D Gerst, Chairman, Judy Radano, Sec.; and Newtown Township residents Kerk Farrell, Grounds Committee; Jan Elston, Publicity, Fund-Raising and Public Relations Committee; and Edward Johnston, Construction and Restoration Committee Coordinator

Bartram History Book Available

More information on Bartram Bridge Be obtained by visiting the Newtown Square Historical Preservation Society website, or the Bartram Bridge Website Additionally, an award-winning history of Bartram Covered Bridge is available on the NSHPS and Bartram bridge websites. The book, entitled  “Bartram Covered Bridge: Spanning History”, was published in 2010 by local authors George Conn, Chris Driscoll, Eric Gerst, and Douglas Humes.. It is available for $25 per copy, which will be signed by the authors. To contact Eric D Gerst Esq. Chairman of the Bartram Bridge board , call 610-356-9640 or email at edgphl@gmail.com