Patterson Farm Gaining National Historic Status

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA — Historic Patterson Farm is trying to be more historic.

After decades of advocating to have Patterson Farm listed on the National Register of Historic Places, township officials said the farm is one step closer to that status.

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Township officials said that for years, the National Register application for Patterson Farm lingered without progress.

"Township Administrations and dozens of supervisors came and went," officials said. "Some elected officials and Township Managers were disinterested in the farm altogether and were tired of Farm Preservation advocates."

The state had required additional information, but the application languished while years passed, officials said.

Then, Joe Camaratta rewrote the application and the current administration resubmitted it. Now, it is finally moving forward.

Officials thanked Helen Heinz, Patterson Farm Preservation Board Member, for her extensive research that helped drive the successful application.

"This should encourage everyone who advocates for historic preservation to never give up," officials said.

Township officials thanked Duane "Buster" Doan Jr., whose lifelong dedication to Patterson Farm never wavered, and whose guidance of Lower Makefield's Farmland Preservation Corporation helped assure the viability of Patterson Farm and other local agricultural assets.

"On this day, the 10th anniversary of Buster's passing, he must be looking down from Heaven and smiling to see the farm he loved finally getting the recognition it deserves," officials said.