Hillsborough Township Awarded Historic Preservation Grant

Funds will help with renovation costs for Van de Veer-Harris House

Hillsborough, NJ – Hillsborough Township has been awarded $402,400 in grant funding by the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners and the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission to help with restoration costs for the Van der Veer-Harris House.

The funding will help cover the cost of repairs to the foundation, windows, and doors, as well as remediating mold, replacing deteriorated wood, removing ductwork, and other essential projects.

One of the provisions of the grant is that at least one event must be hosted on the property, either indoors or outdoors.

"The Van der Veer-Harris House has been described as an outstanding example of not only a late 18th-century residence, but also, in its mid-20th-century renovation, as an essential representation of the Colonial Revival period,” said Local Historian and Historic Preservation Committee Chair, Greg Gillette. “The funds provided in this grant bring Hillsborough closer to making this significant home accessible to the public for generations to come."

The Van der Veer-Harris House is a historic residence in Hillsborough known for its Colonial Revival style, which was added during renovations in 1940 by Dr. Robert Harris. Originally built in the 18th century and once home to the Van der Veer family of physicians, the house is now a managed historical site that has received grants to support its ongoing restoration and potential future use. The house is listed on both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.

"Receiving this significant grant is a testament to the importance of preserving Hillsborough's rich history and architectural heritage,” said Mayor John Ciccarelli. “The Van der Veer-Harris House is a landmark we are committed to protecting, and these funds ensure that its story can be told and appreciated by our residents for decades to come."