As we come to the 19th anniversary of the great August 20, 2000, move of our historic 550 ton King of Prussia Inn, here is a look at how the structure’s preservation began.
KING OF PRUSSIA INN NOW ON HISTORIC REGISTER
by Linda Smith (Article date unknown)
With a sense of purpose and dedication, more than 30 Upper Merion residents and neighbors gathered together last week in a small room to discuss plans for the preservation of the King of Prussia Inn.
In contrast to the cold rain outside, the atmosphere inside the old Roberts Schoolhouse was warm and inspiring. Those present represented members of the King of Prussia Historical Society (whose tireless efforts to save the Inn had sparked the meeting) as well as members of the business and civic community interested in affirmative action.
The open meeting, conducted by Historical Society President Jack Shain, had been called to update local residents on progress of the Inn’s preservation.
“The Inn is yous,” Shain pointed out to those present. ” It is part of the heritage of Upper Merion and all of us should be concerned about its future.”
Most important of all developments was the announcement that the Inn has recently been placed on the Nation Register of Historic Places. This listing secures the Inn from destruction and opens up the possibility of matching funds for approved work on the structure.
In another new development, John Langsford, manager of the King of Prussia Gino’s restaurant, announced that Gino’s Inc. has offered to sponsor one of the two possible programs to give financial help toward the Inn’s preservation.
According to Langsford, one program would include the use of Community Service Cards which would enable the holder to get a 60 cent discount on a purchase at Gino’s. The 60 cents in turn would be donated to the Historical Society. The other program being considered provides for the special sale of a product during any given weekend, profits from which would be given toward the Inn.
When questioned about how much money either of these programs could raise, Langsford estimated that a “few thousand dollars should be collected from either one.”
Certain-teed Products Corporation of Valley Forge has also donated materials necessary to re-roof the Inn.
Other area groups are also becoming interested in what seems an encouraging effort to preserve the historic structure.
Represented at last week’s meeting were the American Business Clubs (AMBUSC), Upper Merion PTC Council, Main Line Painting Contractors, King of Prussia Rotary Club, the Upper Merion Women’s Club, the King of Prussia Exchange Club, Gino’s, Inc., the King of Prussia Players, the Freedom Valley Girl Scouts, Candlebrook school and the Greater Valley Forge Chamber of Commerce.
The prospect of a formal fund-raising drive to collect funds for the Inn was also discussed. ….
As a result of those fundraising efforts, the outside walls were restored, the roof fixed so it didn’t leak, and the foundation was reinforced in time for the 1976 Bicentennial. There wasn’t enough money at that time to restore the original interior which was in bad need of repair. The Inn remained marooned on a median strip between the north and southbound lanes of US 202 – until after additional fundraising which led up to that August Sunday. Today the Inn, fully restored inside, is the headquarters for the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, 101 Bill Smith Boulevard, King of Prussia.
For more information about the big move, see these posts from 2015, 2017, and 2018.
For more information about the bid move, read these posts from 2015, 2017, and 2018.