Hillsborough Historic Home Awarded $293K For Restoration

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The Van der Veer-Harris House in Hillsborough was awarded $293,938 from Somerset County's 2017 Historic Preservation Grants for restoration work.

A total of $897,000 in grants were awarded to historical sites throughout Somerset County. Freeholder Director Peter Palmer and county Historic Sites Coordinator Thomas D’Amico presented the ceremonial checks at the freeholder board’s Oct. 24 meeting.

Hillsborough Township applied for the grant funds to rebuild the existing concrete area ways, complete carpentry repairs and painting at the east elevation and east wing of the house. The east wing roof will also be replaced and funds will cover carpentry repairs and painting at the north elevation.

The south elevation will be painted and the east elevation will have carpentry repairs and also be painted. A damaged gutter will also be replaced on the west wing.

The Van der Veer-Harris House is a late-18th or early-19th century dwelling, with significant Colonial Revival renovations. It was originally the home of Dr. Lawrence Van der Veer, a prominent local doctor.

In 1940 Dr. Robert Harris incorporated Colonial Revival style into the homes renovation. The renovations were designed by Chester A. Paterson, a well-known advocate of the Colonial Revival style.

(Images via Somerset County New Jersey Government)

Image 1 - Van der Veer-Harris House, Hillsborough.

Image 2 - Accepting for the Van der Veer-Harris House: Greg Gillette, Chairman, Hillsborough Township Historic Preservation Commission,

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