Sloatsburg — This season’s annual parade of colors was hardly seen this year. Instead, leaves did a quick fade to brown after the early, odd snow storm blew through and seemed to just quietly drop, barely bothering to change colors. Now with the promise of temperatures turning cool, it’s time to warm up with some holiday cheer.
Harmony Hall is set to open its outsized doors to the public for its 6th annual Victorian Holiday Celebration on December 4, an event that helps kick off the Sloatsburg holiday celebration season.
“The whole community is welcome,” said Geoff Welch, Harmony Hall curator. “There’ll be decorations and refreshments and handmade crafts and gifts for sale from the Friends of Harmony Hall. Some holiday gifts will be made from a special herbal mint we’re growing here on the grounds, Blunt Mountain Mint, which is a threatened species in New York. It has a strong and invigorating smell.”
Guests will be greeted by the polish and shine of the Hall’s recently renovated interior, including the original refinished yellow pine floor, brightly lit chandelier, brass light fixtures and other period features, with the spacious rooms decorated and glowing a holiday welcome.
Harmony Hall is the original name for the Jacob Sloat House, designed and built by one of Sloatsburg’s namesakes back in 1848. In 2006, the mansion was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, and in 2007 the Hall received a grant from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation that began a major capital improvement initiative involving a full restoration of the roof, cupola, front veranda and entrance door.
Meanwhile, the Friends of Harmony Hall have been hard at work raising funds and taking initiative to restore the mansion’s interior. The Friends group partners with the Town of Ramapo and has been instrumental in helping to create and fund arts, cultural and historical programs related to the restoration of Harmony Hall, especially as they promote the history of Sloatsburg and its place as part of New York’s Ramapo River Pass and Highlands environments.
The Victorian Holiday celebration is part of that effort, along with the late summer Highlands Bluegrass Festival that takes place on the Hall’s great lawn.
The Victorian Holiday features a Victorian Holiday Shoppe run by crafty Friends that will sell candles, knitwear, baked goods, a Restoration Raffle, and other hand crafts, with all proceeds going towards further restoration projects.
“The festival is popular throughout the community,” Welch said. “We usually get a nice turnout. It’s a good send off for the holidays.”
For more information, visit Harmony Hall here.
