Nestled on a hill, hidden behind a strip mall in Sloatsburg is one of
Rockland County’s treasured historic landmarks. Even some neighbors
have yet to find Jacob Sloat’s Harmony Hall, but fear no more! Commuters
and locals driving along NYS Route 17 (Orange Turnpike) will now be able
to locate it easily.
On April 25th, the New York State Department of Transportation
(NYSDOT) installed brown/white Historic Site signs for the Jacob Sloat
House along Rt. 17 in both north and southbound directions at the
intersection of Rt. 17 at Eagle Valley Road.
Back in October 2021, Friends of Harmony Hall board member Kathy
Goldman reached out to Gayle Sudder, Transportation Analyst from the
NYSDOT Regional Traffic & Safety Group, to inquire about signage for
historic sites. Gayle shepherded Kathy through the application
process. The NYSDOT is required to fabricate signs according to the name
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Therefore, “Jacob Sloat
House” was printed on the signs, although locally the house is better known
as Harmony Hall, the name Jacob Sloat gave his house. The NYSDOT
understood that “Harmony Hall” is the more recognized name for this
historic site. However, the preliminary review to include “Harmony Hall” led
to concerns that the letter size would be too small for the traveling public to
read and understand the sign effectively.
NYSDOT intended to locate the signs on Route 17 at Liberty Rock Road
since this is the address for the Jacob Sloat House and how GPS routes
motorists, but the sign crew found an underground cable at that
intersection. Due to the cable, they had to install the signs at the
intersection of Route 17 at Eagle Valley Road instead. Kathy Goldman
said, “This is a better site since the main entrance to the house is off of
Eagle Valley Road.”
Realizing the new historic site signs will increase interest in Jacob Sloat’s
Harmony Hall, the Friends of Harmony Hall would like to install an
information kiosk with a brochure box at the 1848 mansion to welcome
visitors if they visit when the house is not open. This is a great project for a
Girl Scout Gold Award or Boy Scout Eagle Project. For additional
information about the Friends of Harmony Hall and events at Harmony Hall,
visit www.FOHH.org or email events@friendsofharmonyhall.org
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