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The building that houses The Harvest Moon Inn Restaurant is considered to be among the finest examples of Federal architecture in the state according to the Hunterdon County Master Plan Sites of Historic Interest. It was constructed in 1811 as the Amwell Academy to provide educational advantages beyond those available in the local district schools. The land for the Academy was deeded to Titus Quick and consisted of fifty six perches, a perch being the equivalent of a rod or 14 1/2 feet. From 1811 until it closed in 1830 the Academy was run by a board of governors. In 1869 the Larison brothers, Dr. C.W. and Rev. A.B., acquired the building and opened their Seminary at Ringoes. During the school's twelve year existence it offered a broad curriculum to both boarders and day students with the goal of preparing students for the honorable and conscientious performance of the duties of life. For the first term, which began January 3, 1870, tuition was ten dollars for Classics courses consisting of Greek and Latin and eight dollars for English courses consisting of Rhetoric and Literature. The tuition also included courses in Mathematics, History and Science with instruction in French, Drawing and Piano available at an extra charge. The cost of room and board, including light and fuel, was forty eight dollars each term with boarders expected to furnish their own sheets, towels and table napkins. As the Seminary at Ringoes was closing, Dr. C.W. Larison opened the Academy of Science and Art in a new stone building erected next to his house at the corner of Old York and Larison roads where it still stands today. The Academy offered four year courses of instruction in Latin, English, Elocution, Mathematics, Natural History, Drawing and Music. Dr. Larison also established a printing press in the Academy that printed books and magazines, many of which were written by himself. As a local historian Dr. Larison published many works dealing with the Colonial history of the Ringoes area. In addition to his many academic activities, Dr. Larison also maintained a thriving medical practice making house calls in his horse and buggy to patients as far away as Lambertville. St. Andrews Burying Ground located to the east of The Harvest Moon Inn is all that remains of the Anglican Church built on eleven acres along the King's Highway, now Old York Road. The graves all face east as was the custom of the period. On January 22, 1725, the land was granted to the English Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts for five shillings. The church, most likely built of logs, was erected on the site soon after the land purchase. By 1753 the original church had fallen into disrepair and was replaced by a new stone church, although no trace of that building remains today. St. Andrews parish relocated to Lambertville in the early 19th century. |
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Harvest Moon Inn History |
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1039 Old York Road, Ringoes NJ Phone 908-806-6020 Fax 908-806-7111 |
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www.harvestmooninn.com |