News
Barracks effort a model of public/private cooperation
By Laurie Pellichero
Special to The Times
Thanks to the generosity of Times readers and local businesses and organizations, The Times-Roma Bank Preservation Campaign for the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton has raised $76,603.
The total includes a $37,500 donation from Roma Bank, which pledged to match $37,500 raised by the community, challenging people to be generous in this effort to help preserve and expand this state and national historic landmark for future generations.
"We extend our sincere appreciation to the many Times readers who responded to this appeal," said state Sen. Peter A. Inverso, R-Hamilton, who is Roma Bank president and CEO. "It was interesting to learn more about the Old Barracks while reading comments from people who recognize its importance: past, present and future."
Maurice T. Perilli, Roma Bank chairman, added, "Meeting this challenge was a little like winning another battle in Trenton. The Old Barracks has been challenged as of late. This funding will be a turning point."
Richard Patterson, executive director of the Old Barracks Museum, said he is counting his blessings.
In June, the state Legislature and Gov. Jon Corzine ended more than a decade of flat funding by taking care of the Old Barracks in the fiscal year 2008 budget. Patterson said that's half of what has been a happy public/private cooperative venture since 1914.
"Now the private sector has stepped forward," said Patterson. "I want to take this opportunity to thank not only our great benefactors, The Times and Roma Bank, for their tremendous effort and visionary generosity, but all those many hundreds of Times readers who have offered what they could so that the Old Barracks can continue to offer its many curriculum-driven, historical programs year-round and serve up the stimulating exhibits and public programs we hope will help develop a critically-informed sense of what patriotism should be about."
"As we salute the philanthropy and sense of leadership of Roma Bank and shake the hands of those from the generous Homasote Foundation and The Society Sons of the Revolution in the State of New Jersey, the sheer numbers of many smaller givers to this campaign has left our staff, folks never short of words, speechless," Patterson continued. "Knowing that so many people within The Times' readership area care so deeply about what we do will sustain us on those rainy, low visitation days that will inevitably occur.
"Confirmation that what we do matters to so many, all of whom had to take the positive step of writing and sending a check, no matter what the amount, is why we stick with it and promise to keep things 'fresh.' We pledge to go on giving you new ways to think about all this 'old stuff.'
"We will continue to need support, and pray that the contributions of so many will inspire folks to become members of the Old Barracks Association. Now we ask Times readers to prove that they are not only "summer soldiers and sunshine patriots' and become treasured 'winter soldiers' by joining the Old Barracks and Trenton Downtown Association for our many Patriots Week programs this December."
For more information about the Old Barracks Museum, call (609) 396-1776.
