Our signature Friday Night Salon Series returns to Harmony Hall this fall!
Harmony Hall Curator Geoff Welch will once again produce last year's wildly popular Friday Night Salon Series in the South Salon of Harmony Hall. Come and spend an evening or two at Harmony Hall and see our newly restored 1848 pine floors! This year's series will include a return visit from renowned regional archaeologist Ed Lenik and Geoff Welch's wildly popular presentation on the role of the Ramapo Pass during the Revolutionary War, as well as two multimedia musical presentations focusing around the link between nature and music. Details appear below.
Jean Sibelius: Nature and Music ~ November 5 at 7:30 PM
Late Romantic composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) was considered to be so important to the Finnish national identity that his face appears on the country's 100 mark bill. Almost no one can claim that they have never heard excerpts of Sibelius' masterpiece Finlandia ~ even those who can't profess to be classical music listeners. Sibelius' orchestrations are as breathtaking as his thematic melodies, ensuring that the Finnish composer's great works continue to be performed over and over by the world's greatest orchestras. Come and experience the work of composer Jean Sibelius as Curator Geoff Welch takes you through a multimedia snapshot of one of the world's most remarkable modern composers. This free multimedia lecture and concert will be followed by refreshments and opportunities to speak further with our talented curator.
2010: A Year Without Mushrooms ~ November 12, 7:30 PM
Come join naturalist, hiker and amateur mycologist Ray Clyne as he gives a talk and slide show on one of the world's most misunderstood gourmet delicacies - the mushroom! As a member of P.I.P.L.O.N (Palisades Interstate Park League of Naturalists), Ray has been involved in an ongoing documentation of fungi in the park system, which has resulted in a "Master List" containing over 130 genus and 250 individual species of fungi. On November 12, he will talk about the surprising role that 'fungi' play in the ecosystem and in our everyday lives. He will also share a number of astounding stories relating how fungi have affected major events in human history. Don't miss this amazing take on an ecological partner that deserves to receive a fresh, new lookover rather than to be overlooked as you hike through this region's spectacular parks!
Defending the Highlands ~ The Ramapo Pass & The Revolution ~ November 19, 7:30
From the beginning of the War for Independence to the day that British soldiers and sympathizers left New York Harbor to return to Britain, General George Washington considered the defense of the Ramapo Pass to be nearly as critical as control of the Hudson River to the American cause. This free lecture and slideshow by Harmony Hall Curator Geoff Welch, which is back again this fall by popular demand, will introduce visitors to the amazing and sometimes tragic role that the Ramapo Pass played in the American revolution. The story, as our guests will learn, is as impressive as any revolutionary tale that can be told by any individual community of eastern Rockland County despite the fact that it remains one of the best-kept secrets in the region!
Archeologist and author Edward Lenik presents "Indian Rock Shelters in the Highlands" on December 10 at 7:30 PM.
Noted archaeologist and author Edward Lenik will bring local pre-history alive as he shares what he has learned during recent excavations about the original residents of the Ramapo Pass ~ the Leni Lenape Indians. This lecture will focus on Mr. Lenik's investigation of nearby natural rock formations that once sheltered these nomadic hunter/traders from the harsh weather of the northeastern winter as they traveled between tribal camps. Refreshments will be served following this free presentation, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to speak with one of the region's most active and respected archaeologists, who has specialized in the discovery and interpretation of human occupation of the New York and New Jersey Ramapo highlands for decades now. Mr. Lenik will also be signing copies of his latest book, which chronicles his investigation of the local rock shelters, and several others that focus on other matters of local and historical interest.
Musical Landscapes: The Winter Solstice & Highlands ~ Sunday, December 19 at 2:00 PM
Few places are as magnificent as the Ramapo Highlands, particularly blanketed in the icy shrouds of winter. Without a doubt, winter is a special time in this dramatic region of gentle mountains, still lakes and rolling rivers. Harmony Hall Curator Geoff Welch has captured that elegance and splendor in photographs and original musical compositions that uncover winter's landscapes in a manner that is truly unique - even spiritual. Please join us in the South Salon as Geoff Welch paints musical landscapes of the Ramapo Highlands in celebration of the coming of the year's shortest day ~ the Winter Solstice.
You are invited to a Victorian Holiday on December 5!
You are cordially invited to Harmony Hall as a guest of the family to celebrate the holiday with the flair and style of the Victorians. The mansion will be decorated in her winter holiday finest, presenting the perfect setting to enjoy the music, decorations, tastes, scents, stories, shopping and games that made this nostalgic holiday so very special, and still continue to do so, including a special visit from the North Pole! The mansion will welcome visitors between 1-6 PM, when carolers will arrive for a sing-a-long as they make their way to the 2010 Sloatsburg tree-lighting ceremony. Children are particularly welcome as we celebrate the holiday traditions of the late Victorian age.
Late Romantic composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) was considered to be so important to the Finnish national identity that his face appears on the country's 100 mark bill. Almost no one can claim that they have never heard excerpts of Sibelius' masterpiece Finlandia ~ even those who can't profess to be classical music listeners. Sibelius' orchestrations are as breathtaking as his thematic melodies, ensuring that the Finnish composer's great works continue to be performed over and over by the world's greatest orchestras. Come and experience the work of composer Jean Sibelius as Curator Geoff Welch takes you through a multimedia snapshot of one of the world's most remarkable modern composers. This free multimedia lecture and concert will be followed by refreshments and opportunities to speak further with our talented curator.
Come join naturalist, hiker and amateur mycologist Ray Clyne as he gives a talk and slide show on one of the world's most misunderstood gourmet delicacies - the mushroom! As a member of P.I.P.L.O.N (Palisades Interstate Park League of Naturalists), Ray has been involved in an ongoing documentation of fungi in the park system, which has resulted in a "Master List" containing over 130 genus and 250 individual species of fungi. On November 12, he will talk about the surprising role that 'fungi' play in the ecosystem and in our everyday lives. He will also share a number of astounding stories relating how fungi have affected major events in human history. Don't miss this amazing take on an ecological partner that deserves to receive a fresh, new lookover rather than to be overlooked as you hike through this region's spectacular parks! 
From the beginning of the War for Independence to the day that British soldiers and sympathizers left New York Harbor to return to Britain, General George Washington considered the defense of the Ramapo Pass to be nearly as critical as control of the Hudson River to the American cause. This free lecture and slideshow by Harmony Hall Curator Geoff Welch, which is back again this fall by popular demand, will introduce visitors to the amazing and sometimes tragic role that the Ramapo Pass played in the American revolution. The story, as our guests will learn, is as impressive as any revolutionary tale that can be told by any individual community of eastern Rockland County despite the fact that it remains one of the best-kept secrets in the region!
Noted archaeologist and author Edward Lenik will bring local pre-history alive as he shares what he has learned during recent excavations about the original residents of the Ramapo Pass ~ the Leni Lenape Indians. This lecture will focus on Mr. Lenik's investigation of nearby natural rock formations that once sheltered these nomadic hunter/traders from the harsh weather of the northeastern winter as they traveled between tribal camps. Refreshments will be served following this free presentation, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to speak with one of the region's most active and respected archaeologists, who has specialized in the discovery and interpretation of human occupation of the New York and New Jersey Ramapo highlands for decades now. Mr. Lenik will also be signing copies of his latest book, which chronicles his investigation of the local rock shelters, and several others that focus on other matters of local and historical interest.
Few places are as magnificent as the Ramapo Highlands, particularly blanketed in the icy shrouds of winter. Without a doubt, winter is a special time in this dramatic region of gentle mountains, still lakes and rolling rivers. Harmony Hall Curator Geoff Welch has captured that elegance and splendor in photographs and original musical compositions that uncover winter's landscapes in a manner that is truly unique - even spiritual. Please join us in the South Salon as Geoff Welch paints musical landscapes of the Ramapo Highlands in celebration of the coming of the year's shortest day ~ the Winter Solstice. 
You are cordially invited to Harmony Hall as a guest of the family to celebrate the holiday with the flair and style of the Victorians. The mansion will be decorated in her winter holiday finest, presenting the perfect setting to enjoy the music, decorations, tastes, scents, stories, shopping and games that made this nostalgic holiday so very special, and still continue to do so, including a special visit from the North Pole! The mansion will welcome visitors between 1-6 PM, when carolers will arrive for a sing-a-long as they make their way to the 2010 Sloatsburg tree-lighting ceremony. Children are particularly welcome as we celebrate the holiday traditions of the late Victorian age.