By Maria Prato-Gaines, Staff Writer
JAMESBURG — Local officials said it would likely be more than a year before the Lakeview: Buckelew Mansion opens its doors to the public again, as a project to renovate the borough’s historical gem is still under way.
The borough’s greatest tourist lure has been closed since October 2007 for renovations and restorations, which include foundation repairs and painting as well as a new air condition and indoor sprinkler system.
The mansion was owned by the borough’s late namesake and founder James Buckelew and was used to house a number of local historical artifacts, including a carriage, owned by Mr. Buckelew, that transported President Abraham Lincoln from the Trenton train station to the state Capitol in 1861.
The Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders has funded the renovations and restorations with two grants totaling approximately $900,000.
The borough is in the process of applying for an additional $750,000 grant for the project through the Historic Preservation Office, said Denise Jawidzik, the borough’s business administrator.
Borough officials will likely hear back about its application for the additional funds by March, she said.
So far some temporary shoring, or a support system, has been completed in portions of mansion’s interior and exterior, said John Longo Jr., borough councilman.
While the borough has been paying to keep many of the mansion’s artifacts in special storage, some of the furniture and other items may be moved back into the house while phased-in remodeling is taking place, he said.
Since the borough is still in the design phase of improvements, the project’s engineer is revising some of the plans, which will then have to be reviewed by the project’s architect.
Mr. Longo said he hopes the project will go out to bid by January or February, that work will begin by spring and that the house will reopen to the public by winter 2009.
”Next Christmas holiday is a good projection depending on when we get paperwork back and move forward with the work,” Mr. Longo said.

