Assemblyman Bill Magee (D-Nelson) announced the passage of legislation he authored that will allow a private, nonprofit group to continue their partnership with Hyde Hall Historic Site, ensuring the site is maintained and open to the public (A.10085).
“The public-private partnership at Hyde Hall has ensured that this historic site is preserved and available to visitors,” said Magee. “This measure will allow this work to keep going so that our families can continue to enjoy and learn from this important piece of New York State history.”
Hyde Hall, which was completed in 1834, overlooks Otsego Lake in what is now Glimmerglass State Park. It was the country house and showplace of George Clarke, who inherited significant portions of land in New York State as well as England and Jamaica. The house was designed in a neoclassical style by Philip Hooker, a noted architect who also designed the original New York State Capitol. It is the only historic site named a National Historic Landmark in Otsego County.
The nonprofit, Hyde Hall, Inc., formerly called the Friends of Hyde Hall, has raised tens of thousands in funds to restore the hall to its original condition and has operated the historic site under a lease agreement with the state for 30 years. Magee’s bill, which previously passed the Senate, extends the lease another 30 years so that the nonprofit can continue to maintain and operate the mansion for tours and events.