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Somers Stone House Event To Help Fund Reynolds Restoration

SOMERS, N.Y. – The historic Stone House in Somers attracted about 75 visitors to its open house Sunday as people who have been passing the unique 1849 Greek Revival style house for years were delighted to get a chance to see its interior.

The Stone House was open to visitors for a Somers Land Trust fundraiser.

The Stone House was open to visitors for a Somers Land Trust fundraiser.

Photo Credit: Mike Lubchenko

The Open House was a fundraiser, the first of a series, to raise money to refurbish the Angle Fly Preserve’s 18th-century Reynolds House and its pond area.

“Between the ticket-buyers, the private donations and the silent auction, we made nearly $10,000,” said Somers Land Trust Secretary Denise Schirmer, who served as chair of the event. “Everything was donated -- the hors d’oeuvres, the wine and the silent auction items."

Referring to the owners of the Stone House, Schirmer said, “Christine and Robert Beshar deserve a huge thank you. It was very generous of them and they were very gracious.”

Ten locals acted as docents during the afternoon, guiding people around the house and telling a little of its history. Every room was open and each had a special distinction.

“The best thing for me was the front door,” said Schirmer. “It’s 4 inches thick. It floored me. I opened it for every guest. It was the best workout I’ve ever had.”

The Somers Land Trust is sponsoring the Reynolds Farm Area Restoration through a series of fundraisers. “We don’t want to ask the town for funds if at all possible,” said Schirmer. “So far we’ve gotten a lot of help. People are getting excited because the Reynolds House is so old. That was the idea of this fundraiser – an event in a historic house to rebuild a historic house.”

The next event will be a musical production for children. “We received an offer from the musicians, Alyssa and Peter Reit,” Schirmer said. “They’ll tell the story of ‘The Ugly Duckling’ with a harp and a horn, one Sunday afternoon over the summer. It’ll attract a different crowd, definitely family-oriented.”

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