Rescarrick Moore House will undergo study by Princeton firm
By: Michael Arges
EAST WINDSOR – What is the real historical value of the Rescarrick-Moore House? Could it be moved to another location?
Township Council members hope to answer these and other questions about the 18th century house through a contract with C.W. Zink and Associates approved at Tuesday’s meeting.
In addition to assessing the house’s historic value and prospects for preservation, the firm will make a comprehensive record of the home, its design and condition – and contents – so that significant historical data will be preserved.
The Moore House is located on the property of Shiseido America on Route 571. It was built about 200 years ago by early settler Rescarrick Moore and is one of the township’s oldest structures.
Preservation and restoration specialists C.W. Zink Associates of Princeton will provide a description of the current historical significance of the house, an assessment of the house’s condition, and an evaluation by a structural engineer of the possible preservation and relocation of the house, including estimated costs.
The company has performed restorations in Hopewell, Lawrenceville and Princeton, including the Olden House at Drumthwacket. Clifford Zink will coordinate the Moore House project.
The recording will include measured floor plans of all levels, a record of interior trimwork, full photographic documentation, investigation of the history of the structure (noting what additions, if any, have been made) and a study of the history of interior and exterior surfaces.
The costs for the two studies, which will total as much as $13,000, will be funded by Shiseido, Mayor Janice Mironov said Monday.
"They are covering the costs, quite generously, of both of these studies."
She noted the township has placed an ad about the house in a newsletter published by Preservation New Jersey, a nonprofit organization working to coordinate historic preservation efforts throughout the state. Mayor Mironov hopes some individual or group will acquire the house or provide funding for the preservation and moving of the house. So far, in response to its advertising efforts, the township has received two or three responses from persons wishing to tour the house, she said.
With regard to the funding of possible preservation and relocation of the house, Mayor Mironov commented that "I am reluctant to put the township government in the position of expending huge sums of public money."