Save this Historic House!
Donation protected
For the past 122 years, this historically significant house has been anchored at 254 6th Street, Avalon NJ. It has survived hurricanes, floods, lightning – but will not survive the wrecking ball coming in Februaruy. Sadly, in Avalon, these historic houses are not protected and only a handful remain.
It is slated for demolition, so that a modern structure can take its place. The house can be saved by being moved. This grand Victorian is being donated and is FREE to anyone or any entity that will move it off the land.
Your donation is assisting in this cause. Let's move this house. A small group (Save Avalon's History) has been formed to relocate this house and save it for future generations.
We are looking for suggestions, and want to stress that this house is FREE to any taker. Updates will be provided to this page as the details are solidified.
Why not become a part of saving Avalon's history?
Built in 1895, this home is one of the founding houses on the island. It has a rich history - the builder, George W. Kates, signed the timbers beneath. Kates was a well known builder of Victorian homes. He was the first tax assessor for Avalon and built this beautiful house for himself and family.
The house appears on nautical maps dating back to the late 1800s due to it's position on the northern most tip of the inlet . Once the highest point in town, the original tower has been struck by lightning twice.
On the third floor there is a wall signed by all visitors dating back to the 1940s. The wall provides a wealth of history - including Avalon weather, current events, memories, and personal messages. We've been told even the wall has historical signifigance.
In fact, the wall is currently being documented by a PhD candidate at The University of Delaware as part of his dissertation.
The New Jersey Preservation Office has identified this specific house has a good survivng example of Queen Anne architecture making it eligible to be on the New Jersey historic register. The interior has been impeccably restored - and boasts more than 20 original stained glass windows and a chestnut rail and banister. See more pictures below -
We are feverishly working towards a plan to move the home to a new location where its historical significance can be appreciated fully. If you know Avalon, you know how incredible this story is that such a historic house still exists there.
An article appeared in the Monday 18-Dec Philadelphia Inquirer - Headline "History is rapidly vanishing in Avalon".
Let's not let this happen....This house wants to save itself.
Please help us save this rare Victorian - with a goal of 100,000 to finance the move and not much time - every donation counts.
Chestnut Banister
It is slated for demolition, so that a modern structure can take its place. The house can be saved by being moved. This grand Victorian is being donated and is FREE to anyone or any entity that will move it off the land.
Your donation is assisting in this cause. Let's move this house. A small group (Save Avalon's History) has been formed to relocate this house and save it for future generations.
We are looking for suggestions, and want to stress that this house is FREE to any taker. Updates will be provided to this page as the details are solidified.
Why not become a part of saving Avalon's history?
Built in 1895, this home is one of the founding houses on the island. It has a rich history - the builder, George W. Kates, signed the timbers beneath. Kates was a well known builder of Victorian homes. He was the first tax assessor for Avalon and built this beautiful house for himself and family.
The house appears on nautical maps dating back to the late 1800s due to it's position on the northern most tip of the inlet . Once the highest point in town, the original tower has been struck by lightning twice.
On the third floor there is a wall signed by all visitors dating back to the 1940s. The wall provides a wealth of history - including Avalon weather, current events, memories, and personal messages. We've been told even the wall has historical signifigance.
In fact, the wall is currently being documented by a PhD candidate at The University of Delaware as part of his dissertation.
The New Jersey Preservation Office has identified this specific house has a good survivng example of Queen Anne architecture making it eligible to be on the New Jersey historic register. The interior has been impeccably restored - and boasts more than 20 original stained glass windows and a chestnut rail and banister. See more pictures below -
We are feverishly working towards a plan to move the home to a new location where its historical significance can be appreciated fully. If you know Avalon, you know how incredible this story is that such a historic house still exists there.
An article appeared in the Monday 18-Dec Philadelphia Inquirer - Headline "History is rapidly vanishing in Avalon".
Let's not let this happen....This house wants to save itself.
Please help us save this rare Victorian - with a goal of 100,000 to finance the move and not much time - every donation counts.
Chestnut BanisterOrganizer
Adrienne Scharnikow
Organizer
Jenkintown, PA
