By Maxine Bogle, Special Writer
JAMESBURG — After five years, the borough’s historic Lakeview mansion is ready to begin its final phase of renovations.
The nationally registered home, which is also known as the Buckelew mansion, is owned by the Borough of Jamesburg and is used as a museum.
In 2008, the museum doors closed once the home was found to be structurally weak and in danger of falling in on itself.
Since that time, the Jamesburg Historical Association, who is in charge of caring for the home, applied for grants and received almost $1.4 million from the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders for two phases of work that have now been completed.
“The first phase involved the basement of the building and getting it structurally sound,” said Elliot Stroul, who is the vice president of the Jamesburg Historical Association.
Phase two of the renovations consisted of completing several repairs to the exterior, the roof and a complete stripping and painting of the house.
“Also electricity was updated inside of the house, so now we are in code,” said Mr. Stroul. “The heating system was completely revamped. We went from oil to gas.”
During the renovation process, Hurricane Irene hit in 2010 and, soon after, Superstorm Sandy struck in 2012.
Due to each, the construction and re-opening of the historic home was set back.
While the large two-story home has been under construction, the artifacts that have been collected have been held in storage and on loan to the Jamesburg Borough Hall, as well as the Village Inn in Englishtown.
“Occasionally you’ll get a student who’ll come in and say what can you tell me about this, that and another thing and we might have information on that,” said Mr. Stroul. “The problem right now is that I have no ability to deal with that.” But if things go as planned, such as the $499,000 grant proposal being accepted, and if the construction goes well, then the Lakeview mansion can be reopened as soon as next fall.
“Back then we were probably getting maybe 30-40 (visitors) a month,” said Mr. Stroul. “I see an increase on that once we reopen, because we’re doing a huge media event. We want this to be the museum that people want to come too. So we hope to have a higher rate of visitation because we’ll be more visible and hopefully open more often. ”
The final phases of the renovations will include major work on the interior structures, interior painting, wallpapering, restoration of the flooring, as well as the outbuilding.
