Commission Seeks Grant to Continue Crawford House Restoration

Repairs to the historic Crawford House in Tinton Falls are moving along, but more needs to be done for the structure to be opened to the public.

Tinton Falls Historic Preservation Commission Chair Stacey Slowinski said her group is looking to secure a $5,000 grant that would help pay for some interior renovations to the house.

Slowinski spoke at Tuesday night's Tinton Falls Council meeting and asked for, and received, the council's blessing to apply for the grant. She said the application was due by Nov. 1 and that the commission had the funds to match the grant.

"We have applied for and received five in the past, so there's a good chance we could get it again," Slowinski said.

Slowinski said the exterior repair were completed in 2007 and that the ceilings and insulation upstairs were also recently finished.

She said the commission would like to repair and re-plaster the downstairs walls if the grant is approved. She added that wiring needs to be added the house as it currently does not have any outlets or working lights.

According to the borough web site, the Crawford house was built in the early to mid 19th century, and was home to four generations of the Crawford family. The Crawfords operated their butcher business on the property for the better part of a century. 

The Borough's Historic Preservation Commission is working together with the Open Space Committee and the Environmental Commission to rehabilitate the house and create a facility that can be used by all three volunteer groups.

"Our vision for the house includes use as a local history and cultural center, as well as a focal point for the trail system currently under development," the borough's web site states.