When the daffodils bloom, Bayonet Farm springs to life

Changes are coming to Bayonet Farm in Holmdel in the form of capital improvements to the Harding House and additions to spring programming for children.

FILE PHOTOS Top: Restoration plans are in the early stages for the 200-year-old Harding House at Bayonet Farm, which also includes the farm's Red Barn (below). "We continue to make progress since presenting our 501 proposal to the Holmdel Township Committee in September," said Bayonet Farm Advisory Committee Co-chair Phyllis Ameduri in an April 2 email. "Our 2008 capital budget request was approved in December, and we are working closely with the township staff and their architect to make efficient use of those funds for our proposed Harding House capital improvement project."

Township Architect Anthony Iovino, of Arcari and Iovino Architects, Little Ferry, said that at this point, the restoration of the Harding House is really in the earliest stages.

"As a small first step, the town asked me to assess the structural integrity of certain parts of the building, because if it wants to preserve and reuse the space, there is a need to address some issues," Iovino said in an April 2 interview. "The building is about 200 years old or so and reasonably there are some things that need attention."

Iovino said that the building that was at one time a home to socialite and stage actress Laura Harding is in good condition, considering its age.

"I have been through the house a few times, and it is a pretty neat place," Iovino said. "It has great history and nice character. I like the fact that the township wants to preserve it, and I was surprised by how good a shape it is in. Not so much the original section, but the portion that was a later addition to the house has great spaces and is in nice shape."

Iovino said that he rarely gets the opportunity to deal with historic homes of this nature, since his work is mainly on a municipal level.

"It is pretty exciting to get to work on this project. It's not every day that I get to work on something like this," he said. "Our firm doesn't always get the chance to work on sites like this, because we deal mainly in the municipal field, and that's why I am here now. But it is great, and I am really looking forward to working on it."

Iovino said the structure should be brought up to code, but the first priority should be to stabilize and preserve it, and then work on the interior.

In addition to sprucing up the Harding House, the Bayonet and Cross Farms Advisory Committee is still in pursuit of obtaining nonprofit status for the venue.

"With the assistance of pro bono legal counsel, we are very close to submitting 501 by-laws and a memorandum of understanding for township review," Ameduri states in the email. "Once reviewed and approved, we will move forward with incorporation and board of trustee selection."

The committee presented the Township Committee with a layout to start a nonprofit at Bayonet Farm so the town could utilize the property as a potential source of revenue and exposure for Holmdel.

Programming geared toward art and other creative outlets is also a central theme at Bayonet Farm.

FILE PHOTO The Red Barn is used to host events. "Preparations are well under way for a first-ever series of spring art workshops for adults," stated Ameduri. "The children's summer arts education programming started last year will be expanded."

In addition to the various seminars and workshops offered for students, many volunteers are currently planning the sixth annual Art and Music Festival, which will be held Sunday, Sept. 13.

With the April 26 Earth Day celebration at Bayonet Farm approaching, local residents will have another opportunity to tour the property and enjoy Holmdel's rural settings.

But the art doesn't stop with the easel, and the activities don't end with instructional seminars.

An outdoor recital to be held May 17, showcasing the band concert talents of students under the tutelage of popular instructor Sal Catapano, is currently in the planning stages, Ameduri said.

Bayonet Farm also offers residents and locals the chance to rent space for their own events.

"In concert with the township's Park and Recreation Department, we continue to jointly market rental of the two barns and beautiful scenic grounds for a variety of group or family-oriented gatherings," she said.

Nestled along the gentle slopes of Middletown Road, Bayonet Farm is quickly becoming a showpiece for Holmdel Township.

The mission of the farm, as dictated by the Township Committee, states that the use of the farm should adhere to the advancement of the cultural, historical and environmental heritage of Holmdel and its surrounding region through educational programs, exhibitions, performances, recreation and other related activities.

There are four structures on the property: two houses and two barns. The Swanson house was renovated in 2006 by Holmdel Township and is rented out for private housing. Similarly, the agricultural fields are leased to a local farmer.

The Red Barn has been home to outdoor music concerts and art shows, hosting a café during events, while the Gray Barn plays host to barn dances and art exhibitions.

The farm was acquired in 1985 by Holmdel Township for the sum of $1.6 million with the help of state Green Acres funds.

It had been a retreat home for New York City socialite and aspiring actress Laura Harding.

Harding, whose 1920 debutante ball guest list included members of the prominent Rockefeller family and warranted coverage by The New York Times, bought the property in 1936. It was only 60 acres at that time, but Harding, a Rumson resident, added to the property, and today it encompasses a total of 230 acres, much of it acquired through various grants and other open space acquisitions.

According to historical information previously provided by Ameduri, the main house was built in the early 19th century when James McGee purchased the farm, but the land titles date back to 1677. Harding later transformed the farmhouse into a country estate where luminaries such as Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy spent many a night as guests at Harding's country oasis.

Under the terms of the sale, Harding retained life rights to the property until her death in 1994. Harding and her sister Catherine donated another 90 acres on the other side of Middletown Road with similar life rights.