SILVER SPRING TWP., Pa. - A building demolition in Cumberland County is drawing negotiations between a developer and the community after residents re-discovered the building’s historical significance.
In the 1780's, the building was known as the James Bell Tavern, and historians say it played a critical role in the development of this nation. But somehow, it was never recognized as such, until a demolition process was well underway.
“It was just kind of an oversight,” Christine Musser, the point person for the township’s conservation and preservation committee on this matter, said. “We didn't know about this history. We knew about it being an old tavern built in the 18th century, but we didn't know that it had this historical significance.
In July 1788, the tavern housed a small meeting of locals who discussed the U.S. Constitution and the need for amendments to it. Those changes eventually became the Bill of Rights.
“One thing that the U.S. Constitution did not include was the people from the back country, such as the farmers, or the artists and the different things like that,” Musser, who wrote a book on the history of Silver Spring Township, said. “They wanted to make sure they were included.”
The building is now owned by the Triple Crown Corporation, a Harrisburg-based real estate development company. Officials say the company got permission from the township to demolish the building prior to anyone realizing its role in American history. The company did not respond to requests for comment for this story, but stopped the demolition.
“He has learned of the historical significance of it and he's put a hold on to it and right now, the township and the developer are in discussion as to where we're going to go forward,” Musser said.
Township leaders also declined an interview after the meeting, but told the township's conservation and preservation committee Monday they would be working to preserve what's left of the site.
“I'm an eternal optimist so therefore, I'm hoping that it can be put back to as much of its original state as possible,” Musser said.