Audio
The Hacketts of Hyde Park
Transcript
This charming wood frame home with its welcoming porch, sheltered two generations of the Hackett family, who loved the surrounding land, knew its history, and in time, donated the property to the people of Hyde Park.
The Hacketts were Irish immigrants who arrived in the Hudson Valley in 1852. They established themselves as a successful Poughkeepsie merchant family.
Second generation John A. Hackett became an attorney. He purchased this land but before he built the house, he built the hill where it stands! Hackett always wanted a house on a hilltop, so he had wagon-loads of dirt hauled in to provide the elevation where the house was built. The estate, known as “Crum Elbow Farm” and later, Hackett Hill, was built in 1868. One of John’s two sons, John M, lived there next, along with his wife, the attorney Charlotte Cunneen.
John M. and Charlotte were strongly committed to their community It was Charlotte who deeded the property to the Boy Scouts of America, and required that it always be used by a non-profit organization.
In 1997, the community of Hyde Park became a new beneficiary of the Hackett’s gift, as former Town Recreation Director, Tom Meyering, explains…
TOM MEYERING SOUND BITE: The Hackett Foundation is one of the biggest foundations in the county, and they have supported all kinds of organizations in the county – basically, anything to do with young people – anything to do with preserving land. The Hackett property is truly an amazing resource. In the eyes of the town, it’s a place where the town residents can come together. All sorts of activities…and feeling good about being a member of the town. And Hackett has helped bring people together.
Description
The Hacketts were Irish immigrants who arrived in the Hudson Valley in 1852. They established themselves as a successful Poughkeepsie merchant family.
Duration
1 minute, 57 seconds
Credit
National Park Service
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