Open House To Show Off Renovated Historic Cropsey Barn

NEW CITY, NY — The renovation of the historic New World Dutch Barn at Cropsey Farm is complete, and everyone can have a chance to see it at a Open House on Sunday that you could consider a kick-off for the holiday season. The party will include tours of the historic structure, music and hot apple cider and a chance to "meet the farmer," Al and his wife Kristin.

If you bring some healthy, organic produce, you would also be helping the Rockland Farm Alliance out this Thanksgiving. Due to the historic barn's renovation, they could not grow produce to share this year, so they are asking the community to help provide organic produce for the families staying at the shelter run by the Center for Safety & Change.

The Open House is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The time-frame to drop off donated produce on Sunday is a little bit wider, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so even if you can't get to the event you can help give.

(Any donations beyond what can be used for the current families staying at the shelter will be distributed to others supported by CFSC throughout Rockland. By the way, you could receive a 10 percent discount on donated items for the food drive from the Hungry Hollow Co-op at 841 Chestnut Ridge Rd in Chestnut Ridge.)

At a ribbon-cutting Nov. 4, Rockland County Executive Ed Day, Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, Rockland Farm Alliance President John McDowell and other local officials and citizens celebrated at Cropsey Farm.

“Not that long ago there were farms and barns all over Rockland as most people made their living from the land. This barn is beautiful, and its restoration allows us to preserve an important part of Rockland's agriculture past and provide for the County's environmental and recreational future,” said Day.

The Barn was built 223 years ago in 1796 and is a great example of Dutch architecture of the time. Since 2017 it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 2006, Rockland County partnered with the Town to take ownership of the Cropsey property in order to preserve it as open space with the County owning 61 percent and the Town 31 percent.

The total project cost of the barn renovation was $1.55 million with Clarkstown contributing $604,000 of the cost and the rest coming from the County’s Capital Projects Budget.

“Clarkstown is proud to have partnered with the County of Rockland on the restoration of the historic Cropsey Barn," Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann said at the ribbon-cutting. "The Cropsey barn is a true jewel in the heart of Rockland County and the Town of Clarkstown; a glimpse into a period of time that’s long gone. I am delighted in all our efforts to preserve and protect this barn and create usable space for the Rockland Farm Alliance and the community. It will continue to be a place for future generations to learn about our Town's rich farming history.”

Rockland Farm Alliance President John McDowell thanked the County Executive, County Legislature, Town of Clarkstown and the Cropsey family for their commitment to the preservation of this unique property.

“As we celebrate the masterful completion of the renovated historic Cropsey Barn, we honor those who toiled to create this farm in the past as well as those who will continue to farm here, with this barn, well into the future," McDowell said. "We also congratulate the project's architects and artisans, whose work has resulted in the restoration of this truly 'one-of-a kind' barn. Rockland Farm Alliance is committed to making this space one that each adult and child in Rockland County can experience and enjoy. We are honored to be part of the effort to make Cropsey Farm a place where everyone can learn about the value of this precious land and healthy organic food.”