SWEDESBORO – The historic Schorn Cabin locate just off of Kings Highway in the Old Swedes Trinity Church Cemetery, will now be owned by the Borough of Swedesboro.
The Gloucester County Historical Society has owned the cabin since 1989, but due to their own financial difficulties, the Borough will now be taking ownership of the log cabin.
The Schorn Cabin, built prior to 1750, is one of the oldest original log cabins of early Swedish-Finnish architecture in the United States. In the 1800’s the one room cabin was used as a station for the Underground Railroad.
The cabin was originally located along the Raccoon Creek in Woolwich Township and was donated to Gloucester County Historical Society by the Schorn family. In 1989, it was moved to its present location.
Gloucester County Historical Society President Mary Rugarber said that the pandemic hit them hard financially and they have not recovered. They have been taking care of five buildings in the county, including three headquarter buildings, the Schorn Cabin in Swedesboro, and the Moravian Church at Oldman’s Creek in Woolwich Township.
Rugarber said that they wanted to keep all the properties open so they are handing over ownership of the Schorn Cabin to the borough. The Historical Society said that they will be paying for the insurance, and in 2024, they had a new roof put on and did pest control.
Rugarber said that the borough taking over the cabin is a win win situation for everyone.
No decision has been made about ownership of the Moravian Church property, located on Sharptown/Old Kings Highway. Rugarber said the property has been undergoing significant work since 2019, which has been funded by historical trust grants.
Work has been done on the cemetery, gravestones, and pointing of the building. Rugarber said this is an expensive undertaking. The Moravian Church was constructed in 1786. The county historical society has owned it since 1948.
She said that a decision on the future ownership of the church will be made after the renovations are completed.
By Karen E. Viereck, Editor/Publisher
