Friends of Historic Glasgow (Delaware)

La Grange Press Release: Battle to Save LaGrange (2/11/05)

Battle To Preserve Glasgow Farm Will Continue

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Glasgow, DE, February 11, 2005 - Friends of Historic Glasgow (FOHG), a grassroots organization that has collected 1,300 signatures in favor of preserving the 236-acre La Grange farm, vows to continue opposing all development plans for the property. Although the Barczewski family, who currently owns the farm, recently accepted a sales agreement from local developer Steven J. Nichols, the farm has not yet been sold. The farm is located just outside Glasgow, DE, near the intersections of U.S. Route 40 and state route 896.

"We are disappointed that the sales agreement was signed," stated Earnie Davis, who has been active in representing FOHG at recent public meetings. "However, we believe that continued community opposition
has the potential to save the property, which has great historic and environmental significance to all of Delaware."

The 1815 Federal period farmhouse and nearby granary building are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the granary is also listed on the Historic American Building Survey. There are two
archaeologist documented Native American encampments on the farm (the Butterworth and the Barczewski sites). In the farm's woods are authenticated, intact remains of British and Hessian earthen trenches from the September 3, 1777, Revolutionary War battle of Cooch's bridge. There is also documented evidence on the farm of Benjamin Latrobe's venture to build a feeder canal in 1804 (New Castle County Historical Marker NC-59).

Major areas of drainage and wetlands crisscross the property. Eight distinct and separate areas have been designated as national wetlands. Seven distinct areas have been designated as state wetlands. A quarter of the water recharge area for Glasgow is on the Barczewski farm.

Anne Barczewski and her late husband purchased La Grange in the mid 1940s, and set about restoring the property. She had stated many times, both publicly and privately, that she did not want the farm to ever be
developed. Mrs. Barczewski, who is 94, suffers from advanced Alzheimer's disease, and is currently in hospice care.

Last year, New Castle County officials made a $9.6 million offer to buy all but five acres of farm for preservation. Those five acres are the only ones currently zoned for commercial development, while the rest of the farm is zoned suburban. However, at a September 2004 public hearing before the New Castle County Council, attorney David Ferry, who represents brothers Steven and George Barczewski, insisted the farm was worth at least $12 million, and that his clients would not accept anything less.

New Castle County and Delaware state government officials had recently been in contact with Joanne B. Lewis, Anne Barczewski's daughter, about putting together another deal to purchase the farm for preservation. Although Mrs. Lewis was amenable to discussions, Mr. Ferry threatened Mrs. Lewis with legal action on behalf of his clients if she delayed any longer signing a sales agreement with a developer.

Mr. Nichols has 90 days under the sales agreement to determine if the farm can be developed to his satisfaction. The initial deposit paid to the family was only $25,000. The agreement then gives the buyer another six months to close the sale.

"We believe that significant public opposition to development can still save La Grange," explained Mr. Davis. "We are encouraging people to contact their state and county officials and to turn out at public
hearings if they would like to see the farm preserved."

CONTACT INFORMATION:

If you would like to help protect this property from development and permanently preserve its historic, cultural, and natural resources for future generations, please contact:

The Friends of Historic Glasgow
ATTN: Nancy V. Willing
5 Francis Circle
Newark, DE 19711

Telephone: (302) 366-1855
E-mail: historicglasgow@earthlink.net
E-mail: NancyVWilling@yahoo.com