[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 125 (Tuesday, October 10, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE ABEL AND MARY NICHOLSON HOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC 
                         SITE STUDY ACT OF 2000

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                         HON. FRANK A. LoBIONDO

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 10, 2000

  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce H.R. 5399, the 
Abel and Mary Nicholson House Historic Site Study Act of 2000. This 
bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to study the 
suitability and feasibility of designating the Abel and Mary Nicholson 
House, located in Elsinboro Township, Salem County, New Jersey, in my 
Congressional district, as a unit of the National Park System. As part 
of the study the Secretary would also be required to consider 
management alternatives to create an administrative association with 
the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route. This study is the required 
first step in designating the site as a national park.
  The Abel and Mary Nicholson House was built in 1722 and is a rare 
surviving example of an unaltered early 18th Century patterned brick 
building. The original portion of the house has existed for 280 years 
with only routine maintenance. This house is a unique resource which 
can provide significant opportunities for studying our nation's history 
and development.
  I was pleased to annoucne the designation of this house as a National 
Historic Landmark on March 1, 2000, which made it the first National 
Historic Landmark site in Salem or Gloucester Counties, in New Jersey. 
The U.S. Department of the Interior designated the Nicholson House as a 
National Historic Landmark because of it's historical importance to the 
entire nation and listed it in the National Register of Historic 
Places.
  As one of the most significant ``first period'' houses surviving in 
the Delaware Valley, the Nicholson House represents a piece of history 
from both Southern New Jersey and early American life, and should 
remain protected and preserved to continue as a valuable teaching tool 
for generations to come.

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