Years of Fundraising Come Alive at Harmony Hall

By Peter Bush, descendant of Jacob Sloat

Patience is a virtue, as the saying goes, and advocacy for historic preservation

embodies the patience, fortitude, and resilience of the dedicated all-volunteer Friends of Harmony Hall-Jacob Sloat House (FOHH). The most critical preservation project is currently underway. Fundraising for the essential front porch project has been ongoing for nearly two decades! The FOHH is excited to see this critical and impactful project come to fruition.

The expansive front porch is the key architectural feature of the 1848 homestead. As archival photographs show, the porch was designed as an ample outdoor living space and is the most striking exterior element of the house! Floor-to-ceiling windows facing the porch or veranda open directly onto the wall, providing easy access to the porch. Ten impressive columns support the porch roof, resting on attractive brick piers. Two columns at the north end of the porch were removed in the 20th century to create a bump-out addition to the house. These columns will be reconstructed. The porch renovation is scheduled for completion by Fall 2025, and William Friedlich of Hudson View Construction is overseeing the work.

This project was made possible through a foundation grant, a corporate donation, the Preservation League of New York, and the support of patrons and members like you who attend our signature music festivals, including our recent Grateful Dead Tribute Fest and The Highlands Bluegrass and Craft Festival. Harmony Hall-Jacob Sloat House is the only historic site in Rockland County managed by an all-volunteer group, actively hosting year-round programs while preserving and restoring this 1848 mansion. This impressive and respectful historic restoration will give FOHH additional event production options and a space for enjoyment and relaxation for village residents and regional visitors.

As we near the nation's 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the restored front porch and Great Lawn of Harmony Hall will host memorable events that we hope will inspire a new generation of historic preservationists. Our historic corridor of Seven Tavern Sites on The Clove Road played a key role in saving the Ramapo Pass from the British, which will be duly celebrated.

Years of Fundraising Come Alive at Harmony Hall