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When boy scout Alex Johnston looked at the horse enclosure at Pennsbury Manor – William Penn’s reconstructed 17-century estate along the Delaware River – he saw more than an Eagle Scout project. He saw a place he had grown up visiting – and a chance to make it better.
This month, the 16-year-old Pennsbury High School sophomore and Senior Patrol Leader for BSA Troop 316 is leading a community effort to replace about 200 feet of aging fencing in the barnyard horse area at Pennsbury Manor as part of his Eagle Scout service project. Work is scheduled for the last two weekends of April, with volunteers helping to remove deteriorating fencing and install new posts, rails, and gates.
Johnston selected the project after visiting the site and noticing that parts of the enclosure were old and in need of repair. The project is about more than construction. As an Eagle Scout candidate, he is responsible for planning, fundraising, organizing volunteers, and leading the work from start to finish.
“I’ve been coming to Pennsbury for years through school, camp, and field trips, so it’s always been a place that meant something to me,” said Alex Johnston. “I love history, I love being around animals, and I wanted to do something that would really help a place I care about. This project felt like the right way to give back.”
For Pennsbury Manor, this project will make a big difference for both the site and its visitors. The animal enclosures are a key part of how the historic site teaches children and families about daily life in early Pennsylvania, and the horses are among the most beloved residents of the barnyard.
“Alex saw a need and stepped up in a meaningful way,” said Doug Miller, Historic Site Administrator at Pennsbury Manor. “By improving the fencing, he’s helping us care for the horses while preserving the historic character that makes Pennsbury such a special place for visitors.”
The fencing project is expected to cost about $3,000 to $3,500. Funds raised will go toward historically appropriate materials, including wooden fence posts chosen for their durability and resemblance to period fencing. Support for the project has come from the community as well as family, friends, fellow scouts, troop leaders, and Pennsbury Manor supporters, with donations collected online and at community events, including Holly Nights and Charter Day. If additional funds are raised, Johnston hopes to expand the amount of fencing that can be repaired or replaced.
Johnston has been fundraising for the project since December and will complete a final report after the work is done as part of the Eagle Scout review process. His Eagle Scout Board of Review is expected later this year.
“One of the most important parts of the process is giving young people the chance to take on projects that benefit their communities while demonstrating the leadership skills they've developed through Scouting,” said Steve Johnston, Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 316. “For Alex, this project brings together his love of history, his connection to Pennsbury Manor, and his desire to give back — exactly what an Eagle Scout project should be.”