Trust moves to new offices

SOUTH COVENTRY — In a cost-cutting move, the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust has decided to move out of its headquarters at Coventry House in Coventryville and into office space donated by New Century Bank.

The trust moved June 1 to a space in the 500 block of Kimberton Road and is preparing to sell its former headquarters building.

Cary R. Leptuck, president of the trust's board of directors, said the organization had decided to sell Coventry House to save money being used for the building's maintenance and operations.

"The trust's mission is to preserve and protect endangered land and natural resources in northern Chester County. The board has determined that the best way to serve the mission is to reduce all non-mission expenses," said Leptuck.

The donated space, formerly the bank's executive offices, is adjacent to New Century's Kimberton branch office.

New Century Bank President James W. McKeighan III said the bank has had several opportunities to work with the trust in preserving farmland and supports its mission.

"We see donating this space as a meaningful way to make a donation to the Trust," said McKeighan.

Leptuck said the trust is looking for the right buyer that will protect the historic structure and its 17.4 acres with historic preservation and land conservation easements. Coventry House, at 3340 Conservation Lane, was purchased by the trust in 1976. The original house was

built in 1733 by Samuel Nutt Sr. for his nephew, Samuel Nutt Jr., who came to Chester County to run Coventry Forge.

A frequent visitor to the house was Benjamin Franklin, a friend of Robert Grace who had married into the Nutt family in 1740.

The trust was founded in 1967 and has through successful public-private partnerships protected more than 8,250 acres of open space. It monitors and maintains stewardship of 115 conservation easements on preserved lands.

To contact staff writer Anne Pickering, send an e-mail to apickering@dailylocal.com.