Last call at Lakeview before closing for fix-ups JAMESBURG - This Sunday will be The county has awarded nearly the last time the public can step inside the $900,000 for the project. historic Lakeview mansion for an estimated Association activities will be curtailed 18 to 24 months. somewhat while the mansion is closed, but The Route 522 building will undergo a the members plan to use facilities offered long-awaited, county-funded restoration by other area historical and fraternal project. groups. The association hopes to increase Preliminary work has already obscured its membership and will begin a major some of the public areas in the majestic fundraising campaign for equipment 23-room mansion, but many of the needed to preserve and properly display displays set up by the Jamesburg Historical its collection when the mansion reopens. Association are still undisturbed. The Further information can be found at: public can view them from 1:30-5 p.m. Victorian www.jamesburghistory.com, by calling era refreshments will be available. (732) 521-2040, or by e-mailing jamesburghistory@ Following the final tour, the association aol.com. will begin the task of packing the mansion's huge collection of Jamesburgarea artifacts, including the famous "Lincoln coach," and placing them into secure and climate-controlled storage, according to a press release from the association. Lakeview, the home of Jamesburg's namesake, James Buckelew, was constructed in sections between 1685 and 1870. The borough obtained the building in 1979 in an attempt to preserve a part of its history, entrusting its care to the Jamesburg Historical Association. Over the past 28 years, association has acquired thousands of area artifacts to display in the mansion and two outbuildings. Two years ago, borough officials and the historical association members agreed that major restoration, repairs and preservation work had to be done on the mansion. They were able to obtain historic preservation grants from the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders to, among other things, repair and replace the main support beams, reinforce the foundation, install a completely new HVAC system to help preserve the artifacts contained within, bring the electrical system up to date, replace the front porch and make repairs to the two outer buildings.