History of the Mansion
The "Harney Mansion" was built in two phases. The original house built by Dr. A. Leffingwelll during 1856 us the south end. General Harney added to the original structure in 1872. The addition duplicated the Leffingwell house in design and material. The entire mansion is native stone.
This postacard shows how the house looked in 1911
The mansion was used as the General's summer home until 1884 when he moved to Florida. In 1896, Theodore Hinchcliff purchased the mansion from the Harney heirs.
This picture was take in the summer of 1999 when the restoration project was just beginning
In 1960, the Hindhdliff's daughter, Lucy Hinchcliff Riggans, sold the mansion to Mr. and Mrs. Leo Hollander. The Hollander family gave the mansion to the William S. Harney Historical Society in the early 1980's. It was placed on the Nation Register of Historic Places in April 1984 as the Major General William S. Harney Summer Home.
Here you see my son Chris, the General's GGGGG Grandson
The Historical Society disbanded in 1996, and the mansion was given to the City of Sullivan. In one final effort ot save the mansion, the City deeded the property to "Friends of the General Harney House, Inc" during 1998.
This shot shows the new roof being added to protect the building
Since gaining ownership, The Friends were awarded grant funding through the State of Missouri, Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks, Historic Preservation Program ans authorized representative of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. The grant was for 60/40-match money. The grant provided for placement of a temporary roof to protect the structure and the hiring of a qualified preservation architect to conduct feasibility and alternative use studies.
In October 1999 a "dedication" ceremony was held at the Mansion. The General himself even showed up to see what all the excitement was about.
The "Friends of the General Harney House, Inc" have developed plans for the mansion that will convert it into a Library and Civic center for the town of Sullivan. The plans below show what the final project will look like.
The Harney House Facebook page
If you would be interested in helping out restore this treasure please contact them:
The Harney Mansion Foundation
PO Box 398
Sullivan, MO
63080-0398