Towamensing Township's Historical Commission presented its annual Historic Preservation Award at Thursday's board of supervisors meeting, honoring Albertine Anthony's efforts to preserve the bank barn located on her property.

Commission Chairman Karl Rolappe presented Anthony with a plaque to commemorate her work in preserving the 186-year-old bank barn, an honor bestowed upon a single Towamensing resident each year."Ms. Anthony's barn is unique, and it's in impeccable condition. She's maintained it so well through the years. It's amazing, it's really an amazing piece of property," Rolappe said.The bank barn - which is a barn built into a hill - has been on Anthony's Stagecoach Road property since 1830, according to an engraved date on a stone on the structure's road-facing side. Her farm house has been dated to 1880, and this is also marked on a stone fixed in the foundation. The fact that the drive-in access point for the barn is located on the third floor is unique, as most barns have that access point on the second floor."Given its location, and its beauty, that is a jewel in the township, and I am proud to be here and part of this commission that gave her that award," commission member Roy Christman said.The commission was particularly impressed with the incredible feats of upkeep that Anthony has employed over the years, which she handled almost exclusively by herself. Walls have been replaced, stonework has been repaired, and the nearly two-century-old barn still stands."If I didn't do the stuff that I did, that barn would not be here today," Anthony said.Despite some bad memories - her brother was killed when defending the estate against robbers 41 years ago - Anthony soldiers on, keeping active and maintaining the property. Even these days, at 91 years old, she can be found taking walks around the barn and clearing branches."Life is what it is, it's not perfect," Anthony said. "I've always said the good Lord was with me. I get my strength from him."Anthony has been a proponent for her family farm's preservation since her youth, when she would discourage her mother from accepting offers to buy the property, including the barn. When Anthony took over the house and barn, she received numerous offers from real estate firms, as well as a number of marriage proposals from gentlemen interested in the historic site. She turned each one down."I was born here, raised here, and I told the pastor I'm going to die here. He said, 'Don't hurry up!' " Anthony said.Anthony's farm and barn have been preserved in perpetuity, meaning that the land is a historical site that can never be developed."I read that the Japanese government actually designates certain people, writers, artists, national treasures. Not just building or bridges, but actual people are considered national treasures. And I know we don't have a designation like that, but if we did, I think that Albertine Anthony would be a township treasure," Christman said.