County buys two farms to augment Howell Farm site

Mercer County Park Commission has acquired the Birum and Tesauro farms, off Pleasant Valley Road.

By John Tredrea
   The opening of the new visitor center at Howell Living History Farm, which is part of the Mercer County Park system, comes on the heels of the county’s recent acquisition of two farms that will be added to the Howell site.
   Mercer County Executive Robert D. Prunetti announced recently that the Mercer County Park Commission has acquired the Birum and Tesauro farms, off Pleasant Valley Road. The two farms cover 51 acres.
   "These properties hold tremendous historical significance for Mercer County and will be an invaluable resource for our community and for the Howell Living History Farm. The Mercer County Park Commission is thrilled to make these acquisitions, and I want to thank Mr. and Mrs. (Herbert and Lois) Birum and Mr. (Joseph) Tesauro for preserving this historic treasure. We are happy to make this addition to Howell Farm and look forward to supporting the programs and activities this property will undoubtedly inspire," said Mr. Prunetti.
   The 18th century John Phillips House, located on what is now called Birum Farm, has been authentically preserved and reflects late 18th-century structure as well as ornamental detail. The house will become a part of the Howell Living History Farm complex and will serve as a site for community educational programs, living history workshops, historical society meetings, as well as a host of public programs and historical activities.
   These acquisitions were funded by the Mercer County Open Space Preservation Trust Fund and a 50 percent grant from the Green Acres Incentive program. The Birum property cost $778,125, and the Tesauro property cost $770,000. The Birum property was a bargain sale at a cost to the county of 75 percent of the certified fair market value. Delaware & Raritan Greenway, central New Jersey’s regional land trust, gained the resulting 25 percent contribution for the county by showing the Birum family conservation tax planning options.
   Linda Mead, executive director of D&R Greenway, said: "In the race for open space we need to use every tool available to stretch and leverage dollars. Once D&R Greenway showed the Birums how they could receive real dollars through tax benefits and preserve the land, they were happy to make a generous contribution."
   "Green Acres commends our public and private partners who participate to make this land preservation possible," said Renee Jones, Central Team leader of the Green Acres Program.