Harmony Hall glowed in light and companionship Friday night as history buffs from Sloatsburg and Suffern gathered in honor of Suffern Historian Emeritus Gardner Watts. The old Jacob Sloat house was warmly transformed for the evening as chamber musicians filled the halls of the South Salon and patrons and guests mingled and celebrated a local legend. Sloatsburg Mayor Carl Wright and Rockland County Historian Craig Long were on hand to officially honor Watts.

Watts, at the age of 98, has been a staple of Western Ramapo history, including a 36 year stint teaching at Suffern High School, from 1938 – 1974. He served as historian for the Village of Suffern from 1958 – 2007, and, along with his late wife, Josephine, founded the Suffern Village Museum in 1982, which houses Suffern’s historical documents and exhibits relating to the history of Suffern and the Ramapo area from the earliest settlement.

Watts often rambled the Ramapo Mountains in search of Claudius Smith’s legendary gold and founded the Historical Hikers in 1956, where he often had upwards of 200 people join him for the weekly hikes in spring and fall. Gardner Watts is also recognized as Suffern’s oldest veteran.

The Historical Society of Rockland County recently named Watts a 2012 Living Landmark, along with Tess McCormack-Rasso. Watts will be honored in a ceremony at the Historical Society June 9 for his many years of teaching history in a positive, affirming and interesting way — through the classroom, hikes, his many pamphlets published on local history and as a contributor to the Trailside Museums & Zoo Historical Papers. The Living Landmark award honors an individual who, through commitment and service, has made a difference in Rockland.

The Sloatsburg Historical Society and Friends of Harmony Hall also joined together Saturday, May 19, as the groups hosted Ramapo History Week at Harmony Hall during an afternoon of activities. The morning began with a history scavenger hunt, and the weekend weather cooperated perfectly as friends and families enjoyed a golden day of leisurely activities. Children skipped rope and played games in the drive and on the lawn of the Jacob Sloat House, which was open for the day for house tours and a series of lectures about the historic Ramapo Pass.

The Harmony Hall Friday evening Gardner Watts Soiree honored Watts’ many years of activity with and stewardship of area organizations. The event was put on as a fundraiser by the Friends of Harmony Hall, a local non-profit group dedicated to the preservation of the Jacob Sloat House and promoting the rich and varied history of the Ramapo River Pass on the wider world. Barbara Berntsen is the organization’s newly elected president.

The Gardner Watts Soiree capped off Ramapo History Week, which took place in conjuction with New York State Heritage Weekend. Now in its third year, Heritage Weekend is being celebrated throughout the state this weekend, May 19 and 20, by towns and villages and organizations, and features special programs, lectures, tours, re-enactments, and discounted admission at heritage and cultural destinations that focus on the state’s historic and cultural resources.

Harmony Hall ~ Jacob Sloat House is located at 15 Liberty Rock Road in Sloatsburg, NY. For more information on the the Friends of Harmony Hall or events at the Jacob Sloat House, call  at (845) 712-5220.

Source: Photos courtesy of Geoff Welch.