The WVHS mission is to promote and preserve the history and historic resources of Ambler Borough, Whitpain Township, and Lower Gwynedd Township. Ambler property owners have proudly done their part to preserve the borough’s old buildings. As a result of Ambler’s historic architecture, it’s a town that’s in demand. You may not realize that one of Ambler’s oldest and most valuable structures is the Freight House.  It is located –along with the building that is La Provence and what was Bussingers Model Trains –at what is called the “Old Train Station.” Decades ago, our historical society saved La Provence with a $50,000 grant from the William Penn Foundation.

That group of three buildings was constructed in 1889; however, the Freight House is older; it is Ambler’s original 1855 passenger depot, moved to its present location and added to in 1889.  We know for several reasons: First, it is narrow like a passenger station, not a freight building. Unlike freight buildings, it has many windows, and its roof has long eaves to protect passengers waiting for a train. To add to its beauty, under those eaves are decorative, carved rafters and brackets, examples of Victorian-era Stick architecture.  And, it is built from the area’s original timbers, cut my hand; hand-held tools have left their marks. Ask any carpenter how those virgin forests, Penn’s Woods, provided dense, heavy wood. Finally, beneath the Freight House’s present covering is the original clapboard.

In the future, we picture this historic structure as a monument, showing off Ambler’s connection to its railroad history. It could become a retail shop or the centerpiece for a farmers’ market, standing as a lovely welcome at the entrance to the town. I am here to ask Ambler to assist us in saving the Freight House; that means moving it. 

Sadly, today it sits over the Tannery Run culvert, which needs repair. 

In 2022, SEPTA notified the historical society that it intended to demolish the building. Because the Freight House is eligible for historic status, SEPTA was required to offer the historical society mitigation.

In October of 2023, we were waiting to hear from them about the mitigation when the historical society learned that SEPTA had notified its riders that there would be delays on the tracks because the building was to be demolished. 

Due to public outcry, including 1200 signatures in just a few days, the demolition was postponed, but now we have until August 1 to remove the building, or it will be destroyed. SEPTA wants to repair the culvert.

We have raised $8000, used for an engineering study of the structure, needed for further grant applications to save the building.

Our plan is to move the Freight House and do further fund-raising. We have an estimate from Wolfe House Movers, who did work at the Colony Club. They would charge about $30,000 and put clamps on the corners to stabilize the structure. To avoid building footings, the Freight House, which measures about 10 feet by 50 feet, would stand on a trailer for about two years to give us time to raise donations and work our way through the grant cycle.

We are here tonight to ask that we place the trailer in the parking lot across the street. It would take up about six parking spaces. The lot is owned by the Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority, who leases to the borough, and has offered it approval for placement of the trailer.

The safety of the building is important. The lot has a chain link fence, and we would add to the fencing to surround the structure.

Questions and answers followed.  It was noted that, prior to the meeting, the Borough Solicitor reviewed the lease agreement, and he stated that, according to the existing lease, the Borough is permitted to accept this request if Council approves.