The Hermitage Awarded $128,000 for Major Historic Restoration

The Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus are officially getting a facelift

Photo On July 2, 1782, The Hermitage hosted not one, but two weddings.Theodosia’s half‑sister Caty married Joseph Browne, and with almost no preparation, Theodosia and Aaron Burr decided to marry as well.

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ho-Ho-Kus NJ, the history-steeped halls of The Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus are officially getting a facelift. The Friends of the Hermitage announced this January that they have been awarded $128,000 in combined grants to kickstart a comprehensive preservation effort for one of New Jersey’s most storied landmarks.

The funding—provided by the Bergen County Historical Commission Open Space Trust Fund and the New Jersey Historic Trust—is a critical first step in protecting the site where Revolutionary War legends once walked.

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The “Planning” Before the Preservation

Before the heavy machinery arrives, the museum must complete a Historic Site Management (HSM) Plan. This technical roadmap is required by state law before major capital work can begin.

According to Julie Zier, Director of Development for Friends of the Hermitage, the planning effort is non-negotiable for the long-term survival of the 14-room Gothic Revival house. “Completion of the plan is required before major capital work—such as roof replacement and side porch restoration—can move forward,” Zier noted.

The consulting team from Clarke Caton Hintz (CCH) has already arrived on-site as of January 15, 2026, to begin the multidisciplinary assessment, which includes:

• Archaeological surveys of the grounds.

• Masonry analysis to check the structural integrity of the stone.

• Structural conservation planning for the 1847 Gothic additions.

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A House of Revolutionaries and Rivals

The Hermitage isn’t just a beautiful building; it is a “who’s who” of American history. Originally a colonial farmhouse, it became a strategic social hub during the Revolutionary War while owned by Theodosia Bartow Prevost.

If these walls could talk, they’d tell stories of:

• Alexander Hamilton: The first Secretary of the Treasury visited the house during the war.

• Aaron Burr: The third Vice President was a frequent visitor and famously married Theodosia at The Hermitage in 1782 after her first husband was killed in the war.

• George Washington: The General and his staff used the home as a headquarters in July 1778.

• James Monroe & Lafayette: Other Revolutionary icons who enjoyed the hospitality of the estate.

The home as it stands today is largely the result of an 1847 renovation by architect William H. Ranlett, who transformed the colonial structure into the “Gothic Revival” masterpiece that earned it the status of Bergen County’s first National Historic Landmark.

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Timeline of a Landmark

• 1767: Estate purchased by Ann Bartow DeVisme.

• 1778: George Washington stays at The Hermitage after the Battle of Monmouth.

• 1782: Aaron Burr and Theodosia Prevost wed at the site.

• 1807–1970: The Rosencrantz family owns the estate for 163 years.

• 1847: The house is remodeled into its current Gothic Revival style.

• 1970: Willed to the State of New Jersey and designated a National Historic Landmark.

• 2026: Friends of the Hermitage secure $128k to launch the next century of preservation.

Support the Hermitage

Once the Management Plan is finalized, the Friends of the Hermitage will use it to apply for millions in construction grants to fix the aging roof and restore the iconic porches.

Want to help? You can support the “Friends” via their official website or by visiting for a tour on Franklin Turnpike.

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