SAVE SUNNYSIDE AND LARISON'S TURKEY FARM INN - Stop the Demolition of Historic and Architecturally Important Chester NJ Buildings
Please sign and share this petition to help save Sunnyside and Larison's Turkey Farm Inn. James Topping, the renowned cabinet maker, built Sunnyside in 1873 for his widowed daughter-in-law and grandchild, Leila. Sunnyside is the companion house to what would later become Larison’s Turkey Farm Inn, a Chester landmark. Bolstered by the revenue from two nearby mines and Topping’s craftsmanship, Sunnyside would become the “handsomest house” in Chester NJ at the turn of the century.
James Topping bought the Isaac Corwin House in 1829 and lived there until his death in 1874 at the ripe old age of 94. He greatly expanded and embellished the house with his woodworking expertise. In 1940, the "Isaac Corwin House" (its historic name) was one of only three buildings in Chester to be included in the Historic American Buildings Survey in recognition of its architectural and historic significance. In 1945, Willis Larison bought the house and property from the Topping heirs and converted the house to a restaurant, The Turkey Farm Inn. Willis retired in 1974 and sold the Turkey Farm to restauranteur Arthur McGreevy. The McGreevy's operated the restaurant until 2002. The property was then sold to Turkey Farm Acquisitions LLC who have proposed a development plan that would demolish both historic buildings.
Help the Chester Historical Society Board stop the demolition of Sunnyside and Larison's Turkey Farm Inn. Help us convince the Chester Borough Land Use Board and Governing Body to reject the application to demolish them. They should not be demolished, but conserved and adaptively reused as many other Chester Main Street historic homes have been, to offices, restaurants, and shops. Under all four considerations of the Chester Borough historic preservation architectural review process, Sunnyside and Larison's Turkey Farm Inn qualifies for preservation.
The complete story of Sunnyside is available on the Chester Historical Society’s website at http://www.historicchesternj.com/
Read more about Leila Topping at http://www.historicchesternj.com/images/2015_Sprin...
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
October 11, 2018
February 17, 2018
Seeing this groundswell of support confirms that our community deeply values the history embedded in these structures. It is clear that many people recognize the irreparable loss that would come from tearing down buildings with such unique architectural significance.
Reached 100 supporters
July 7, 2017
416 Comments
I been there as a kid, back in the 1970, it’s a beautiful farm and it’s historic, we should keep it as is, make it a museum so people can see what is was like back in the 1800’s , don’t destroy it, it’s a piece of history!!!
The intersection this property is located at is always busy and a significant increase in traffic due to a significant population increase would create a terrible traffic hazard. The historical charm of the property is important to the definitive essence of the Chester community.
Please do not destroy the fabric of our beautiful town...anyone that you tell that you live in Chester will say "oh you live by Larisons Turkey Farm!" We love our town please do not take away it's beautiful history....
This property absolutely should be preserved. It's a shame it faces the unappealing strip mall across the street. I'm sure that made sale of it as a private residence difficult. It would be a great asset to all of us residents if it is renovated.
As local business and land owners I believe that we have a community responsibility to preserve and be curators of our local history. The Sunnyside home offers an outstanding opportunity for this type of stewardship to be exhibited.
Keep history alive. Don't destroy the buildings.
they want to build townhomes or a cvs. Absolutely not. SAVE LARISONS
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SAVE SUNNYSIDE AND LARISON'S TURKEY FARM INN - Stop the Demolition of Historic and Architecturally Important Chester NJ Buildings
Please sign and share this petition to help save Sunnyside and Larison's Turkey Farm Inn. James Topping, the renowned cabinet maker, built Sunnyside in 1873 for his widowed daughter-in-law and grandchild, Leila. Sunnyside is the companion house to what would later become Larison’s Turkey Farm Inn, a Chester landmark. Bolstered by the revenue from two nearby mines and Topping’s craftsmanship, Sunnyside would become the “handsomest house” in Chester NJ at the turn of the century.
James Topping bought the Isaac Corwin House in 1829 and lived there until his death in 1874 at the ripe old age of 94. He greatly expanded and embellished the house with his woodworking expertise. In 1940, the "Isaac Corwin House" (its historic name) was one of only three buildings in Chester to be included in the Historic American Buildings Survey in recognition of its architectural and historic significance. In 1945, Willis Larison bought the house and property from the Topping heirs and converted the house to a restaurant, The Turkey Farm Inn. Willis retired in 1974 and sold the Turkey Farm to restauranteur Arthur McGreevy. The McGreevy's operated the restaurant until 2002. The property was then sold to Turkey Farm Acquisitions LLC who have proposed a development plan that would demolish both historic buildings.
Help the Chester Historical Society Board stop the demolition of Sunnyside and Larison's Turkey Farm Inn. Help us convince the Chester Borough Land Use Board and Governing Body to reject the application to demolish them. They should not be demolished, but conserved and adaptively reused as many other Chester Main Street historic homes have been, to offices, restaurants, and shops. Under all four considerations of the Chester Borough historic preservation architectural review process, Sunnyside and Larison's Turkey Farm Inn qualifies for preservation.
The complete story of Sunnyside is available on the Chester Historical Society’s website at http://www.historicchesternj.com/
Read more about Leila Topping at http://www.historicchesternj.com/images/2015_Sprin...
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
October 11, 2018
February 17, 2018
Seeing this groundswell of support confirms that our community deeply values the history embedded in these structures. It is clear that many people recognize the irreparable loss that would come from tearing down buildings with such unique architectural significance.
Reached 100 supporters
July 7, 2017
416 Comments
Tourism to the Chester area contributes a great deal to the revenue of the Chesters. By destroying historic buildings such as Sunnyside it not only hurts our bottom line but detracts from the historic nature of our town.
I been there as a kid, back in the 1970, it’s a beautiful farm and it’s historic, we should keep it as is, make it a museum so people can see what is was like back in the 1800’s , don’t destroy it, it’s a piece of history!!!
The intersection this property is located at is always busy and a significant increase in traffic due to a significant population increase would create a terrible traffic hazard. The historical charm of the property is important to the definitive essence of the Chester community.
Please do not destroy the fabric of our beautiful town...anyone that you tell that you live in Chester will say "oh you live by Larisons Turkey Farm!" We love our town please do not take away it's beautiful history....
This property absolutely should be preserved. It's a shame it faces the unappealing strip mall across the street. I'm sure that made sale of it as a private residence difficult. It would be a great asset to all of us residents if it is renovated.
As local business and land owners I believe that we have a community responsibility to preserve and be curators of our local history. The Sunnyside home offers an outstanding opportunity for this type of stewardship to be exhibited.
Keep history alive. Don't destroy the buildings.
they want to build townhomes or a cvs. Absolutely not. SAVE LARISONS
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Tourism to the Chester area contributes a great deal to the revenue of the Chesters. By destroying historic buildings such as Sunnyside it not only hurts our bottom line but detracts from the historic nature of our town.