Batsto Mansion funding
- Thread starter piker56
- Start date
Strange, not much to the article. In what capacity I wonder would the "announcement" have been made. I have to wonder, not saying it doesn't need attention, just how much "restoration" is needed in the mansion.
I used to have the parks commission as a customer and their people always kept me in the know. Not anymore, I really wish I still had some good inside info.
I used to have the parks commission as a customer and their people always kept me in the know. Not anymore, I really wish I still had some good inside info.
Good to see the Batsto Mansion finally getting some well needed attention. Too bad the article does not say much, but I know they have been asking for money for a long time. I might be able to provide some insight since I worked at Batsto for almost 2 years. Things may have changed because I worked there during 1999 and 2000.
I know then they were very concerned over the condition of the mansion. A lot of the concrete on the outside had cracked and the staircase was in very bad shape. At the time they were doing paint sampling and just checking the overal condition of the structure. To my knowledge no real work has been done to the building since the state purchased it.
A little bit before I started working there they closed off all tours to the tower. My tours only went to the 3rd floor. I heard now the tour only goes around the 1st floor. They might be worried about the condition of the staircase. I have been in every room of that building and if anyone has any questions please feel free to ask. It is a very interesting place and I loved every minute I worked there.
Oh, I never saw a ghost and I never felt the place was haunted. Just to get that out now. Haha. But I do know which room Jesse Richards supposedly died in.
I know then they were very concerned over the condition of the mansion. A lot of the concrete on the outside had cracked and the staircase was in very bad shape. At the time they were doing paint sampling and just checking the overal condition of the structure. To my knowledge no real work has been done to the building since the state purchased it.
A little bit before I started working there they closed off all tours to the tower. My tours only went to the 3rd floor. I heard now the tour only goes around the 1st floor. They might be worried about the condition of the staircase. I have been in every room of that building and if anyone has any questions please feel free to ask. It is a very interesting place and I loved every minute I worked there.
Oh, I never saw a ghost and I never felt the place was haunted. Just to get that out now. Haha. But I do know which room Jesse Richards supposedly died in.
Thanks Trailhead, I really didn't think it was in that bad a shape. You can see some obvious stuff I guess when I think about what you're saying. I just wasn't sure what the line between Maintenance and Restoration was.
probably determined by the $$$ they get to work with I suppose.
You actually worked there and guided tours?? I always thought that was a volunteer gig by well versed individuals, local historian types & such. Must have been great. I would love that.
They seem back and forth on how far they'll take you. I've now done limited and not so limited tours.
I must say the views are wonderful from the higher levels. Must've been invigorating looking over the community at it's bustling peak.
probably determined by the $$$ they get to work with I suppose.
You actually worked there and guided tours?? I always thought that was a volunteer gig by well versed individuals, local historian types & such. Must have been great. I would love that.
They seem back and forth on how far they'll take you. I've now done limited and not so limited tours.
I must say the views are wonderful from the higher levels. Must've been invigorating looking over the community at it's bustling peak.
I believe that Joseph Truncer who was the surveyor for the Wharton purchase was one of a few who was instrumental in getting Wharton back in shape, so I think there has been work done on structures since the state purchased it. Member "Janwor" can most likely give us more info on that.
Guy
Guy
I don't know how many of you read my post about last weekend, but I took my girlfriend down to Batsto after the cranberry festival since it was such a nice day. We took a tour with really nice elderly guy who was a great guide. Overall the mansion looks to be in great shape on the inside, however the outside looks a bit dull and in need of sprucing up. Our tour went all the way to the third floor, and the tour guide allowed us to go up into the tower above the water tank. The view is spectacular, it was nice because we had a particularly clear day. At the upper levels the mansion's need of repairs is a bit more evident with large cracks in the plaster, but otherwise everything looks good. I think in a lot of ways the mansion has come a long way, but in a lot of ways it could be improved as well.
Trailhead-I don't know if they're worried about the condition of the staircases-they seem pretty sturdy. I think they're more concerned about the people climbing them! I have never been up such steep twisting steps before!
You Bugger. You brought this up in a thread I had months back in which I indicated that I as well had not experienced this particular room. Not Cool....
Share this info young man !! And it better darned well not be some little privy tucked away. Although any man would probably kill for a secret crapper.
G.
Regards to Badfish740, My middle son & I were lucky enough to hit the top as well. I am so glad he was with me because it was breathtaking, but hot as all get out even in the winter!
Lucky you! Was it cleaned out? My cousin works there and the first time he went up there it was pretty full of bird and bat droppings. He said it was pretty disgusting. Glad to see Batsto getting some state money. I hope it is wisely spent.
No droppings that I saw-just a clear view for miles. It also looks as though everything had a relatively recent coat of paint as well. Does anyone know if you can actually see Atlantic City if you look to the east or was that just my imagination? It was a pretty clear day and I could make out a rectangular shape rising just above the horizon-casino maybe?
Good news that the tour has opened back up to the 3rd floor and lucky you if you got to go up the tower. Boy when I was there we could not let anyone in the tower.
Regarding the secret room. If you are speaking of the "hidden stairs" behind a closet which led to a small room above the game room, then yes I have been there. If not, please enlighten me, I would love to know.
The older woman who gave the tour was probably Edith. She is a sweet, sweet person who has worked at Batsto for years and is very knowledgable. Edith also knows quit a bit about Atsion and she loves to talk about it.
I think the state did perform some work after they purchased Batsto but it really hasn't had the upkeep it needs. If you look at the outside you can see some fairly large cracks and I was told the state was concerned with the support of the tower and the staircase. It's not in terrible shape, it just needs some help so it can be preserved for future generations.
Does anybody know about the "tunnels" at Batsto?
Regarding the secret room. If you are speaking of the "hidden stairs" behind a closet which led to a small room above the game room, then yes I have been there. If not, please enlighten me, I would love to know.
The older woman who gave the tour was probably Edith. She is a sweet, sweet person who has worked at Batsto for years and is very knowledgable. Edith also knows quit a bit about Atsion and she loves to talk about it.
I think the state did perform some work after they purchased Batsto but it really hasn't had the upkeep it needs. If you look at the outside you can see some fairly large cracks and I was told the state was concerned with the support of the tower and the staircase. It's not in terrible shape, it just needs some help so it can be preserved for future generations.
Does anybody know about the "tunnels" at Batsto?
Nice article, seems that if the effort is sincere they are not messing around. Be a nice opportunity for members with interest to get a pictoral storyline going as each would be able to drop by like with that recent bridge rebuilding. That would make for a great running thread. Only I think this would be much more fascinating. Imagine seeing some of the original timbers used in building that thing exposed. I would like to see the original water system from the tank down restored and functioning. That is a brilliant system for it's time. Getting the cable call system fully working again would be neat.
I hope they intend to use as much of the original glass and such that they can.
g.
I hope they intend to use as much of the original glass and such that they can.
g.
It was actually an older man who was also very knowledgable and very nice. He was originally from North Jersey (Bloomingdale) which I found out after the tour.
Do tell!
Are you saying my posts and video were not fascinating? :words:
:jeffd:
Guy
My humblest apologies,
By far and wide some of the best documentary worthy footage and writing rivaling that of any noteworthy rebuilding of a nondescript structure in the godforsaken middle of nowhere on the planet sir.
G.
The "tunnels" at Batsto probably aren't as exciting as it sounds. I think there are three, only one though can you walk down. One is kind of like a chute that is underneath the dining room area and goes under the basement floor. From what I remember someone might be able to crawl through it, but no thanks. I was told it could have been used for storing coal, I don't really know for sure what it was used for. The other was underneath the floor to the far right of the mansion, right across from the ice house. There is a small kitchen there were the workers hang out. We discovered that part of the rug pulled up and under it was a "trap door" of sorts. We pulled up on the door and discovered what looked like a small trench. I was told the state had discovered it years ago and dug it up and thought was where the people of the mansion once threw away their trash or simply buried it. A lot of chicken bones were in there. The last "tunnel" is located underneath the kitchen. In the basement there is a large fireplace used for cooking and to the right of it someone dug a small tunnel. I think it makes a right and then heads towards the front of the mansion. You can actually walk into that one, but I forget how far it goes, 20 or 30 feet? It just dead ends. Maybe it was used for storing things a long time ago. I'm pretty sure I have read about and even seen drawings of the "tunnels" at Batsto in a book, but I can't remember which book it was.
I know it's not that exciting, but it is interesting and would love to know why someone put forth all that effort to create them.
I know it's not that exciting, but it is interesting and would love to know why someone put forth all that effort to create them.
Root cellars/cold storage maybe? Also, Wharton was quite a wealthy man-I'd imagine he kept some fine wines around. How big are the tunnels? Big enough for an average height man to walk through? How are they held up? I'd imagine that the ground isn't very conducive to tunneling. Did they use brick/stone?