The Lands at Hillside Farms

Preserving Treasured Structures

Isett’s Code Inspection & Plan Review Department played a role in helping preserve the timber of two barns, nearly 200 years old, at a special farm in Luzerne County. Our experts ensured that the historic building preservation at The Lands at Hillside Farms met modern Uniform Construction Code requirements. Isett specialists worked alongside Kingston Township personnel to inspect and approve work that repurposes the barns.

Since earning non-profit status as an educational dairy farm in 2005, Hillside has focused on rehabilitating and reusing treasured structures from the area. Its owners and supporters believe these barns are a significant representation of the local history. Hillside began what it calls the Timber Frame Preservation Project in June 2019. The oak, pine, and hemlock from both barns create an extension of Hillside’s Dairy Store. One barn was relocated from Chestnut Hill in Dallas Township, Luzerne County. The second is the former sheep barn previously located on Sutton Road and was part of the original Hillside Farms. The 1,900-SF addition provides a larger, more comfortable area for visitors and customers. This includes spacious areas for eating, browsing, and shopping. The spacious restrooms are ADA compliant.

“This timber frame provides for beauty, the preservation of local history, a place for commerce, a place of incredible energy efficiency, and a unique strike to the senses,” Chet Mozloom, Hillside’s executive director, said. “The professionals from Isett and Kingston Township ensure it is safe, give us confidence in the quality of workmanship, and help to ensure it will stand for another 200 years, and we are grateful for this.”

Hillside’s leadership said they are deeply grateful to everyone who visits and believes in their non-profit mission, including those who made the Timber Frame Preservation Project possible through generous private funding. The work happening at Hillside caught the attention of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, which named Hillside among five 2020 winners of its annual Northeast Environmental Partnership Awards.

The preservation work continued a successful relationship between Isett and Hillside. Isett’s Civil Land Development Department previously provided sitework and stormwater management services as the farm built a new dairy barn. And currently, Isett is working with the Luzerne County Conservation District to permit the removal of an existing dam on the property.

Photos are courtesy of The Lands at Hillside Farms