SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — South Whitehall Township is looking for ways to preserve its history, and township officials say resident involvement is key.
The township’s Community Development Department and its historic consultant Jeffrey Marshall hosted a forum Thursday about historic preservation efforts.
The discussion primarily focused on one already funded by the township — Marshall is creating a Historic Resource Inventory, or a list of places and buildings that have historical significance.
But residents also spoke about creating a historical society, which would be an independent group not directly affiliated with the township dedicated to preserving its history.
Long-range planner Chris Strohler said he hoped the forum would be a catalyst for citizen efforts, but he cannot be the one to start them.
“As much as we can support the community coming together to do it, we can't form the society,” Strohler said.
“And there's nothing stopping people in this room from coming together and doing this and asking for some space to meet as much as they want.”
About 15 people attended the forum. Strohler said the township may host other similar events in the future.
The event came out of South Whitehall Landscapes, a plan to preserve natural resources, historic buildings and farmland in the township.
What could a historical society do?
Strohler outlined several ways the township could showcase its history, such as creating an interactive story map of historic places, filming interviews with older residents and hosting re-enactment events.
But the question became who would have the time and resources to do them.
“Those are people that will really monitor what comes in, preserve it, write books, do all types of things and make the information accessible."Lower Macungie Township Historical Society president Sarajane Williams
Lower Macungie Township Historical Society president Sarajane Williams attended the meeting. She said she “would strongly recommend” creating a historic society to accomplish these goals.
“Those are people that will really monitor what comes in, preserve it, write books, do all types of things and make the information accessible,” Williams said.
The Lower Macungie Township Historical Society currently operates a museum one day a week. It has published several books and is about to come out with a film about the Fries Rebellion.
There are some steps only the township can take, such as acquiring land and passing laws regulating the use of historic buildings.
The South Whitehall Landscapes plan will have recommendations for steps the township Board of Commissioners can take. It will go before the township within the next few months, Strohler said.
The township’s Historic Resource Inventory will be published after the plan is approved, Director of Community Development David Manhardt said.
