One of Whitehall Township's prized historical sites, the Prydun Farm, is viewed as a hidden treasure linked to the founding of the township.

Funding sources used for restoration and preservation of the farmhouse will determine when it opens to the public.

Located on 12 acres in Hokendauqua, the Coplay Creek meanders on its northern boundary, with the farm building close to the Ironton Rail-Trail and the Hokendauqua Park and Playground.

At present, the township is making repairs as needed and mowing the grass, so the structure does not fall into a state of disrepair.

The administration is looking at ways to bring the farmhouse and property back to its former grandeur.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. is also looking at other organizations which were successful in retaining and preserving historic sites.

"I met with representatives of Historic Bethlehem and with people from the George Taylor House [Catasauqua]," Hozza said.

The meetings were for information gathering purposes, he said.

Hozza said the Whitehall Township Historic Preservation Society is involved. Earlier, he said the organization, which has an excellent track record, expects to play a major role in repairing and upgrading the Prydun Farm tract.

The issue came to the forefront in June 2011 when a large group of residents living near the Prydun property filled the commissioners meeting room after learning the farm was for sale. They feared developers would purchase the tract.

The people asked the township to buy the tract as open space. The commissioners approved a resolution, allowing Hozza to submit grant applications to Lehigh County and the state for its acquisition.

The county awarded the township $175,000, with the state chipping in another $117,300. The state Department of Conservation & Natural Resources turned the grant over to the federal Land Water Conservation Fund.

Along with land preservation, the land will serve to maintain stream quality of the Coplay Creek and mitigate flooding that may result from land development.

The property was acquired March 2013 by the township.