Harmony Hall in Sloatsburg has undergone spring renovation that has seen its interior spaces cleaned and painted, thanks to a new partnership with Black Rock Galleries. Photo by Geoff Welch
The last deep overnight freeze had just left Sloatsburg some weeks back when Harmony Hall Curator Geoff Welch discovered a pipe had burst in the second story plumbing of the old Jacob Sloat House, causing sudden water damage in the historical property’s front parlor room.
Black Rock Galleries has moved items into Harmony Hall in preparation for its weekend inaugural showroom opening. Photo by Geoff Welch
After a few days of intense cleaning by members of the Friends of Harmony Hall, it appeared that Harmony Hall, purchased by the Town of Ramapo in 2005 and designated on the New York State and Federal Registers of Historic Places, had experienced another set back on its path to restoration.
But Friends of Harmony Hall President Kenneth Jay Linsner, with agreement from the Town of Ramapo, turned a near disaster into an opportunity. Linsner, an art appraiser by trade, met with longtime collegues Christie Spooner and Grant Panarese, managing partners of Black Rock Galleries (BRG), with the idea of offering the often dormant interior rooms as preview showroom space for the online auction house, giving the fast-growing company a prized foothold in the Hudson Valley.
A agreement was struck. Black Rock, one of New England’s largest auction house and consignment showrooms, will help finance much-needed restoration of Harmony Hall’s interior rooms, with some additional exterior space upgrades planned for the property. Harmony Hall will then act as a weekend “preview” showroom for select Black Rock auctions.
“Our customers in the area have been waiting for a closer, more convenient location and with the support of the Friends of Harmony Hall, we believe this is the right time and a great location for BRG to expand,” said Spooner. “The showroom enables us to better serve the New York markets.”
Black Rock and the Friends of Harmony Hall recently announced the partnership and opening of BRG – Harmony Hall, which debuts with an Inaugural Americana Multi-Estate Online Auction ending on Wednesday, May 4.
Auction previews take place at Harmony Hall Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Friends of Harmony Hall and Black Rock Galleries, online auction house and antiques dealer, recently announced a partnership that will provide the auction house showroom space at Harmony Hall in Sloatsburg, NY. Photo by Geoff Welch
Additionally, BRG – Harmony Hall will offer consignors and customers in the greater Hudson Highlands New York area an outlet for liquidating or consigning estates as well as purchasing fine art, estate jewelry, antiques, decorative items, furniture, and more in a conveniently located showroom.
Linsner said that the Harmony Hall/Black Rock agreement is an experiment of sorts, giving the auction house important showroom space along the Hudson Valley antiques highway. The relationship also provides Harmony Hall a much-needed corporate client and may help cultivate other support.
“We are grateful to the Town of Ramapo and the Friends of Harmony Hall for allowing BRG to utilize this historic building to help raise funds for the continued restoration of the structure and interiors,” explained Linsner.
“The rest is, as they say, history!”
For additional information on Black Rock Galleries and its partnership with Harmony Hall, contact the either the BRG Antique Center at 203-335-0000 or Auction House at 203-335-4444.
