What is the Friends of the Hermitage Inc.?

The Friends of the Hermitage, Inc., in Ho-Ho-Kus, Bergen County, New Jersey, was organized in 1972 as a 501(c)(3) corporation to preserve and restore The Hermitage and provide programming at the site. The Friends manages the property as an historic house museum under a lease agreement with the State of New Jersey. Over the course of its forty-five-year history, the Friends has grown from a small, fledgling group working to save The Hermitage to a broad-based educational organization working to become a center for history education.

Initially, the Friends focused on restoring the architectural fabric of The Hermitage, “an outstanding example of the early romantic phase of Gothic Revival in American domestic architecture.” In 2000, the restoration of the major public rooms was completed. In 1999, FOH completed a capital campaign to fund renovation of the John Rosencrantz House, which had been moved to the property in 1975. The building was enlarged and renovated to become the Hermitage Education & Conference Center (HECC). In 2007, FOH completed a revised Furnishing Plan, funded by a special project grant from the NJ Historical Commission, to guide the social-history character of the interpretive plan. In addition to managing State-owned collections, the Friends have acquired its own collection of historic objects, clothing, and documents related to themes associated with The Hermitage and state and local history. Today, the Friends care for and interpret The Hermitage and collections, gives tours of the historic house, presents educational exhibitions and programs, and publishes research and outreach materials. The Friends have approximately 200 members and is managed by a Board of Trustees, with part-time staff.

Our Mission

Engaging the public through events, exhibitions, and education, the Friends of the Hermitage Inc. preserves and interprets The Hermitage, its history, and its collections as an educational and cultural resource to enrich the public’s understanding of the past.

How to Support the Friends of the Hermitage Inc.

You can support the Friends of the Hermitage Inc., and their mission by becoming a member of the Friends. The Friends also accept charitable donations to be applied to the general operating fund or to a restricted fund of your choice. To help support the museum, the Friends host a number of fun and unique fundraising events throughout the year. The proceeds from these events held at the Hermitage benefit the museum. Be sure to check out our events page for all our exciting upcoming events.