The Historic Preservation Commission of Harmony Township and the Harmony Township Historical Society held an Open House at The Van Nest-Hoff-Vannatta Farmstead on November 3 and Cathy Miller was on hand to capture the day in photos.

All the buildings comprising the Farmstead were open to the public, with varied activities throughout. Located at 3026 Belvidere Road in Harmony Township, the free event featured traditional recipes prepared in the cooking fireplace of the summer kitchen, yarn spinning and candle-dipping in the farmhouse, war re-enactors, farm antiques, children’s projects, and a special presentation on “Saving Seeds.”

Pictured above are a few of the docents who happily shared their knowledge of tradition and love of history.

The first photo features two women preparing dough to make Morris Canal Fried Cookies in the huge fireplace behind them. Taylor Green, 13, hails from Lopatcong. She’s volunteered as a junior docent for four years. Susan Gentle, from Harmony, is president of the Harmony Township Historical Society. She’s been a kitchen docent at the Farmstead for thirteen years.

In the middle photo, Lydia Chiappini of Blairstown, demonstrates handspinning, the art of twisting fiber, fleece, flax, etc. into a continuous thread using a spinning wheel. She’s wearing an 1860’s costume with an antique silk shawl. Lydia also speaks to historical groups and women’s clubs about Victorian ladies’ wear, and its multitude of layers.

The final photo depicts two New Jersey Frontier Guard re-enactors. On the left is Kevin Conn, from Andover, holding a Dutch trade gun, traded to the Indians and settlers in the 1620’s-1700’s. On the right is Doug Pitchell, from Blairstown, Captain of the unit. He’s carrying a 1742 French fusil de chasse. He explained that the NJ Frontier Guard was not a uniformed unit, thus the soldiers had to provide their own clothes, guns and haversacks.

The Farmstead, parts of which date back to the late 1700’s, was listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places in 2005. It’s an example of the region’s largest farmsteads, often regarded as indicators of their owners’ success. For a concise history of The Van Nest-Hoff-Vannata Farmstead, visit www.HoffVannattaFarm.org.

Cathy Miller, an award-winning photographer who’s been capturing the faces of Warren County for many years, has had her work appear in numerous publications, local, statewide, and beyond.