Saturday, February 22: I was driving around checking out locations of some trails connected with the Warren County Board of Recreation — Warren Highlands Trail and Morris Canal Greenway Trail — and observing how work on them was progressing. 

It was a beautiful day and I had just driven by Van Nest Hoff Vannatta Farmstead.  The thought occurred to me that I’ve wanted to get some ‘beautiful day’ photos of the Farmstead and to update my records on how restoration work has progressed over the years!  However, still having a couple of places remaining to get to, I thought, “Guess I’ll catch this some other time.” 

HOWEVER, Luck was in my favor!!  My travels actually placed me back at the Farmstead!! A SECOND CHANCE!!  It was still a beautiful day!!  My time is my own!! 

Out comes the camera; time for a nice photo tour.  I have been familiar with this site since 2004, when I visited here with the Warren County Municipal Charitable Conservancy Trust Fund (MCCTF) Committee and believe me, back then, THIS PLACE NEEDED SOME WORK!!  Harmony Township and its Historical Commission were just beginning on their project to revive this special, complete historic Farmstead.  The information following will elaborate what I just mentioned in my introduction story.

The Van Nest Hoff Vannatta Farmstead, on Route 519 in Harmony Township, is a nationally registered historic place as of December 2005. It’s significant for its agriculture and architecture. 

The original 768-acre farmstead was first settled by John Van Nest in 1763. It was then owned by John and Abel Hoff in the early 19th century and then William M. Vannatta (hence the long name). It was acquired in 2001 by the State of New Jersey with Green Acre Funds.

Three of the buildings are noteworthy:

The stone main house was constructed in the late 18th century — or even earlier. It includes a two-bay eastern extension from 1810. It provides a key example of traditional masonry construction, which is the region’s early domestic architecture.

The bank barn, circa 1824, is a prime example of its type. It is accessed on one side by an earthen embankment and the other lower level by stone. It is of mortise and tenon joint construction.

The early 19th century kitchen is two stories — a rare version. It amazingly still has its cooking fireplace and an intact bake oven. 

The farmstead also includes five other outbuildings: three wagon houses on the property of late 19th/early 20th century date, three wagon houses, a smoke house and a privy.

Please visit my Flickr site for more photos and which also shows various stages of restoration – 

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran

Director Open Space
Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman
Allamuchy Historical Society – President