Our Story

Heritage House is a 175 year-old farmhouse in New Hampton, NY. Built by Theodore J. Denton circa1850, each of our four guestrooms is named for one of home's owners over the past two centuries. In 1870, Theodore sold the property to his twin sister, Mary Mills (born Mary Adelia Denton). Though married at the time (second wife of James L. Mills), Mrs. Mills was able to own the property due to New York passing the Married Women's Property Act in 1848 and the Act Concerning the Rights and Liabilities of Husband and Wife in 1860. Upon her death in 1909, Mary bequeathed the parcel to Susan Murray (b.1850 Ireland).

About your host

The current owner James Aita, Owned and operated 255West, a guesthouse in New York City for several years. In 2020 it unfortunately closed it's doors due to the Covid19 Pandemic. After lockdown restrictions started to ease, James began looking for another project, and his search brought him back to the area in which he grew. Though the house was in a state of disrepair, James saw her potential, and was all in from that moment on. It was a long two years getting it ready, but with determination, and the help of some amazing friends and neighbors, we proudly make Heritage House available for your visit to the Hudson Valley.

His costumes have been seen in Entertainment Weekly, Us Weekly, The Daily News, The Village Voice, Next Magazine, and Homo X-tra. They have also been featured on Broadway.com, Fox News and on Souls of New York on PBS.
When not working for television, James works on fashion and still life photoshoots as a Set Builder, Prop Stylist, and in (or, more than not, as) the Art Department, for companies such as Brooks Brothers, Victoria’s Secret, Lands End, and Luxottica.
James’ work can be seen on HGTV’s Dear Genevieve, where he acted as Design Assistant and on-air tailor/upholsterer for twenty-five episodes. His sewing skills can also be seen on episodes of HGTV’s Battle on the Block, Carter Can and Summer Showdown. His design and hosting skills are showcased on DIY Network’s Door Knockers.

For over twenty-five years in NYC, James designed and constructed residential and commercial interiors, working on his own and with contractors. For fifteen years James restored his own 1884 brownstone, which has been integral in his learning the skills he had yet to master.

"I've become a great electrician; learned more than I've ever cared to about plumbing and cement work, and I can now tile in my sleep. (I've also gone from despising to enjoying installing crown molding). With the size of my mortgage, I've learned to do many of these things with little or no money.”

Using sewing machines is second nature to James, as his mother taught him to use one when he was only three years old. He builds and upholsters furniture. He has designed and built sets and created costumes for Dennis Deal’s Lost Christmas, Basic Theater Company, AquarianStar Productions, and All Out Arts, as well creating costumes for special events such as Wigstock and the famed Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.

to live in the home until his death in 1929. Susan and Albert are buried together at Pine Hill Cemetery.

The fourth owners of the property. Wayne and Blanche Harrison (and son William) purchased the home of the late

Susan Murray in July of 1929. Wayne held the property until the passing of his wife in 1940.

Henry, Anna, and Beatrice (Betty) Siers. Henry and Anna purchased the home in 1945 from Charles and Miriam

McCabe, who owned it for four years after purchasing it in 1941 from Wayne Harrison.

The property stayed in the Siers family, first transferring to their daughter Betty, then to their grand-daughter Kathleen Cooper, from whom we purchased it in 2022.

Susan was the long-time housekeeper of Mary Mills. Susan lived in the house until her passing in 1924. The son of Mary's Husband, J. Albert Mills, continued

Susan was the long-time housekeeper of Mary Mills. Susan lived in the house until her passing in 1924. The son of Mary's Husband, J. Albert Mills,

continued to live in the home until his death in 1929. Susan and Albert are buried together at Pine Hill Cemetery.

The current owner James Aita, Owned and operated 255West, a guesthouse in New York City for several years. In 2020 it unfortunately closed it's doors due to the Covid19 Pandemic. After lockdown restrictions started to ease, James began looking for another project, and his search brought him back to the area in which he grew. Though the house was in a

state of disrepair, James saw her potential, and was all in from that moment on. It was a long two years getting it ready, but with determination, and the help of some amazing friends and neighbors, we proudly make Heritage House available for your visit to the Hudson Valley.