Harmony Hall Presentation Part 6

Maral Kalbian, an architectural historian with twenty one years of experience documenting the historic buildings of the Shenandoah Valley, and Margaret Peters, former historian with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, present their findings on Harmony Hall. Harmony Hall, also know as Fort Bowman, was built around 1753 and was the residence of George Bowman, son-in-law of Jost Hite. The building has stood through many important events in the Valley, such as the growth of agriculture, the Battle of Cedar Creek, the rise of tourism, and the construction of Interstate 81. The research focused on the residents of the house as well as its initial settlement and construction, using photographs, interviews with past residents and researchers, and court documents. The project was made possible with a grant from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities.

In the final portion of the presentation Kalbian goes into further detail about the O'Connell family's restoration of the home. She also lays out some of the clues that will provide additional details for the next stage of the project, which will be an extensive Historic Structure Report that will guide the interpretation and preservation of the home for future generations to use as lens through which to view our shared history as Americans and residents of the Shenandoah Valley.

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• Bowman