Bill Tinsman -2019 Honored Citizen
Bill Tinsman is a the fifth generation of Tinsmans to operate Tinsman Bros. Inc. A fixture since 1785 in the riverside community of Lumberville in Solebury. The lumberyard is believed to be the oldest family-owned one in the country. Bill’s strong belief in community involvement paid homage to his Quaker ancestors who settled in the area in the 18th century. It was not just the Quaker influence but the influence of his parents, who were environmentalists long before the movement became popular. After he settled into the family business, Bill Tinsman could see and understand the danger to Solebury Township of uncontrolled development. Lower Bucks County was already overbuilt and builders were spreading across Central Bucks, acquiring farms for residential use. He became a pioneer in Solebury’s land preservation program, working with residents and specialists like Natural Lands Trust, Brandywine Conservancy and the Heritage Conservancy. MacDowell said. Tinsman, with other residents, founded the Solebury Land Use Committee. Bill was also a township supervisor.