A historic farmhouse is being preserved so that future generations can learn more about the history of the town of Blooming Grove.
The town bought seven acres, including the nearly 200-year-old Lasser farmhouse, with help from a $500,000 grant provided by state Sen. James Skoufis. The Lasser family still resides in the town but were looking to put its family’s original home in the preservation-minded hands of the town. The town has spent an additional $30,000 doing repairs, clearing overgrowth from the property and transitioning the house to its new use.
Town Supervisor Robert Jeroloman says the plan is to connect the home with the nearby Lasser Park; it’s already been refitted to house the town’s historian and as a place for historic tours.
“If you don’t have these historical places to show the younger generation, they won’t be interested in history, they won’t want to learn about the history,” Jeroloman said. “It’s one thing to learn history in school through the book. It’s another thing to learn history and actually come to a house that was built in 1840.”
Skoufis says it’s important to preserve open space and historic buildings in this part of Orange County.
“Anyone that lives in or near Blooming Grove knows that there’s a lot of development pressure here, to put it mildly,” he said. “The community and many folks have been interested in doing more open space, preserving more land here in town… There’s a lot more that needs to be done, but it’s a start.”
The Lasser farmhouse will open for tours in the coming weeks.