Dale Freudenberger, Anthracite Region coordinator for the Delaware and Lehigh Heritage Corridor, was the speaker at the Nov. 14 meeting of the Palmerton Area Historical Society. He attended to update members about the Palmerton historic district.

The application to be on the National Register of Historic Places began when the Palmerton Area Historical Society contacted the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission. The Society had been interested for two years before taking the step of finding out what is involved.The first thing was that the community had to be interested and embrace the idea. Various groups have shown that there is plenty of interest. The Palmerton Camera Club took pictures of the street scenes."Palmerton has wonderful architecture," said Freudenberger.An official came from PHMC and toured the borough. People do not say we want a historic area here. The Commission tells them what fits the requirements and a boundary is drawn. Most of the town was included. It was recommended that Palmerton start the process.Among the categories was an industrial company town. The New Jersey Zinc Company was the reason for the town. It created a town with plenty of planning. The museum commission was excited about having an industrial company town apply.In fall of 2007 a historic resource survey form was filed with the Commission and by spring 2008 the Society received notice that it was approved for the state register and "determined eligible" for the National Register of Historic Places.The Society applied for a $15,000 grant to hire a consultant, but was turned down. A consultant, Ben Harvey, was hired right out of college. He had experience working with the PHMC.In December 2008 Freudenberger made a proposal to the Chamber of Commerce and borough council.Since $5,000 had already been spent, a second grant application was for $10,000 and was approved.Harvey began work on the application for National recognition in November 2010. It detailed history and architecture - and told why Palmerton was important.The Zinc Company had laid out wide streets, trees were planted with different kinds on different streets, streets were named for colleges and universities, people of various ethnic groups were shaped into a workable unit. There were sections of housing for various financial levels of the workers from the bungalows to Residence Park.Many buildings still exist and appear as they did earlier, such as the Zinc building that is now a school, but retains its outward appearance as it was when it was an industrial building.By September 2011 the information was submitted to PHMC for review and comment. At present a letter is expected with the results of the review letting the Society know if anything is missing."We're two-thirds of the way there," said Freudenberger.There will be at least two advertised public meetings to discuss the application and give people the opportunity to support or oppose it. Usually when people are against it, it is because they do not have sufficient information.People come with the belief that it will dictate what people can do with their property, but that is not the case, Freudenberger said. Only a majority is needed to forward it.Harvey will have the final submission to the state by March 1, 2012. PHMC will take it to the state preservation board in June and then it will be forwarded to the federal government. It is rare that changes are requested once the state gives it final approvalHopefully by July we can make an announcement, said Freudenberger."It is fitting that we have a Palmerton National Historic District in our centennial year. It will be a real reason for celebration," said Society secretary Betsy Burnhauser.Benefits of having the designation are cultural, economic and protective. There is a 20 percent tax incentive to invest in income-producing properties. If the state or federal government plans a project it has to maintain the historic appearance.Burnhauser pointed out that Palmerton is a younger community."But a planned community, a well thought out, planned community," said Freudenberger.