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KENNEDY FARMSTEAD TASK FORCE TO HOLD MEETING - JAN 25

Date: 19 Jan 2004
From: AParsekian@aol.com

HISTORIC KENNEDY-MARTIN-STELLE FARMSTEAD AT CRITICAL JUNCTURE

The Kennedy Farmstead Task Force will hold an important public
meeting on Sunday, January 25, 2004, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the municipal
building on Collyer Lane in Bernards Township.

Task Force members will be present to discuss the future of the
historic Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead. The 4-acre historic
Farmstead is part of a 36.5 acre property purchased by Bernards
Township in 1999 with funds from the municipal open space trust.

The Farmstead, which is listed on the NJ Register of Historic Sites,
was the home of several important Basking Ridge figures. One of
Basking Ridge's first settlers, Nathaniel Rolfe, established the
farmstead in about 1740. The Farmstead was also the site of Reverend
Samuel Kennedy's Classical School, which was established in about
1762. The school was the precursor to the Brick Academy school.

Colonel Ephraim Martin, Revolutionary War Patriot and New Jersey
Founding Father, lived at the farmstead from about 1778 to 1795. More
recently, between 1945 and 1960 the Farmstead was the home of Bell
Labs physicist Gerald Pearson, who helped develop the transistor and
the the inventor of the first useful solar cell, which was introduced
in April, 1954. The solar panels powering the current Mars Rover are a
legacy of Mr. Pearson's work.

Current plans envision the Farmstead becoming a focal point for the
arts in Bernards Township by adapting the historic buildings for
cultural, fine and performing arts uses.

The public will be invited to ask questions and share their ideas
about the preservation plans for the Kennedy Farmstead.

Residents who are interested in the preservation of the historic
property are urged to attend to demonstrate support. Strong
expressions of community support are needed in order to assure
preservation of the historic buildings.

According to Task Force member Ann Parsekian, "We need the help of
all interested residents because without public commitment this
important piece of local history cannot be saved." Task Force chair
John Campbell states, "Members of the Township Committee have told us
that they will support this project only if there is clear
demonstration of strong community support."

The members of the Township Committee have also been invited to
attend the meeting; however, this will be an informational meeting,
hosted and run by the Task Force. It will not be a formal meeting of
the Township Committee whereby they can take action.

An important new support group, "Friends of the Farmstead," is being
formed in collaboration with the Historical Society of the Somerset
Hills, and will be introduced at the public meeting.

For further information contact Task Force member Ann Parsekian at
AParsekian@aol.com.