Mickley-Prydun Farm restoration project receives $96,000 state grant
Rep. Jeanne McNeill May 16, 2023 | 11:16 AM
HARRISBURG, May 16 – State Rep. Jeanne McNeill announced today that Whitehall Township is the recipient a $97,619 state grant for the Mickley-Prydun Farm restoration project.
“The Mickley-Prydun farm is part of our history dating back to the Revolutionary War, and this grant will help in the restoration project so that others will be able to learn about John Mickley Sr. and his son Jacob, who protected the Liberty Bell from the British,” said McNeill, D-Lehigh.
The funds will be used to preserve the 1835 farmhouse situated on 12 acres. Plans include renovating the interior and exterior of the building to make it useable, including rehabbing the outside brick façade and repairing the wood beam structure, framing and drywall. Other work includes renovating the bathroom for ADA accessibility, HVAC, plumbing and electrical work.
The property at 3540 Ruch St. in the township was once the home of John Mickley Sr. who brought the liberty bell by wagon from Philadelphia to Allentown for safekeeping from the British during the Revolutionary War.
The grant was awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority through its Local Share Account program. LSA funding is generated from casinos located in host or contiguous counties and distributed by the Department of Community and Economic Development. The grants are designed to help economic development, job training, community improvement and public interest projects.