Sano di Pietro

The Museum offers a world class collection of objects that span the history of western art from the fourth century BC through the twentieth century. The Museum’s founders, Louis and Charlotte Hyde, acquired the majority of objects during a fifty-year period of avid and highly informed collecting. Many of these works are displayed in their home, known as Hyde House, as well as select galleries in the education wing.

The permanent collection consists of approximately 2,800 paintings, sculpture, works on paper, furniture, and decorative arts. When the Hydes began collecting, their focus was not unlike that of their contemporaries. They acquired Old Master paintings, drawings and sculpture by such artists as Botticelli, El Greco, Raphael, Rembrandt, and Rubens. In their most important decisions, notable scholars William R. Valentiner and R. Langton Douglas often guided them.

After the death of her husband in 1934, Mrs. Hyde continued to acquire new works. In fact, approximately two-thirds of the core collection reflect her personal decisions and taste. It was also during this time that she decided to broaden the scope of the collection. To that end, she proceeded to purchase additional works by such modern masters as Cézanne, Degas, Picasso, Renoir, Seurat, and van Gogh. Concurrently, she assembled a significant group of works by important American artists including Eakins, Hassam, Homer, Peto, and Ryder.

While the majority of the objects comprising the permanent collection were the result of the efforts of Louis and Charlotte Hyde, the collection continues to grow through donations and acquisitions.

If one could survey the history of The Hyde Collection topographically, several high points would quickly present themselves. For example, our own “High Peaks” would most certainly include:

March 27, 1952 – Charlotte Hyde adopted the Trust Agreement that formalized her vision of the future Museum and established our mission;

November 3, 1963 –The Museum officially opened its doors to the public;

June 7, 1964 – David Smith: Sculpture and Drawings opened, becoming the first temporary exhibition held at the new Museum;

October 1, 1985 – The Hyde was awarded accreditation by the American Association of Museums, signaling a demonstrated commitment to the highest standards of professionalism; and

November 10, 1989 – The Education Wing was completed, transforming The Hyde Collection into a modern museum complex and fundamentally broadening the scope of our mission.

Individually, these events each clearly identified a new beginning. But of more importance, when viewed in series they underscore an evolving vision of the Museum and its ability to embrace a larger role within our community. On Saturday May 22, 2004 The Hyde commemorated another new beginning. After eighteen months of expansion, renovation, and restoration we celebrated the completion of the Comprehensive Plan. Along the way, we marked the establishment of a $400,000 endowment fund for conservation and the realization of a 6,600 square foot addition of capacity-building space.

Hyde House reopened embodying the finest combination of tradition and innovation. Outside, its exterior was completely restored. Inside, a historic Furnishing Plan was implemented and enhanced by new task and fiber optic lighting throughout the house. In addition, an updated, state-of-the-art security system and a new fire detection and suppression system were installed. Following years of research, months of execution, and extraordinary staff dedication and effort, we are thrilled to share our progress with all of you.

Certainly, this work has aimed at improving the visitor’s experience – artistically and educationally. But as we reintroduce ourselves to the Capital Region, we are hopeful that your experience will also include a sense of pride. The Hyde’s trustees and professional staff want you to be proud of your Museum, to view it as a responsive and responsible institution focused upon its mission, the stewardship of its collections, and the needs of a growing constituency. Ultimately, that is our goal and reason for being.

The Hyde Collection is thrilled to share its process and progress with you.

Visitor Information

Hyde Staff:
For a complete listing of Hyde Staff, visit the Contact Us page of this web site.

City of Glens Falls information:
Visit http://visit.cityofglensfalls.com

Individual Tours:
Docent-guided tours are offered for the Degas & Music exhibition on Thursday, Friday,  Saturday and Sunday at 2 and 3PM.

School Tours:
Educational tours at The Hyde are designed to meet the New York State Learning Standards. Contact Courtney Roberts,museum educator at518-792-1761, ext.17 or emailcroberts@hydecollection.org For more information, click here: School Tours.

Group Tours: There is a charge of $6 per person for docent-led tours of historic Hyde House. For an additional $3 per person the Degas & Music exhibition may be included in your visit. The last tour of the day is at 3PM. For more information or toschedule a tour, contact the Museum Educator at 518-792-1761, ext. 17. Reservations are needed prior to groups or motor coach tours visiting The Hyde Collection. For more information click here: Group Tours or contact the museum educator at 518-792-1761, ext. 17, or croberts@hydecollection.org .

Visits with young children: – Planning a visit to The Hyde? Nervous about bringing your young children to a historic house? Don’t be. This simple guide will help you plan your visit and bolster your confidence about visiting with your family. Just download, print, and review the guide before you arrive.

Accessibility:
Handicapped accessible.
Wheel chair available upon request.

Parking:
Parking is available on Warren Street and behind the Museum. Handicapped parking is located in front of Hyde House.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

From the South:
Take Exit 24 off NYS Thruway to I-87N. Travel north on I-87. Take Exit 18,turn right off the ramp, traveling east toward Glens Falls. Follow cultural attractions signs into downtown Glens Falls (you will also be following the blue hospital signs). Take Hudson Avenue and continue past the Glens Falls Hospital to the downtown intersectionof Rt. 9 & Rt. 32. — Proceedonto the traffic rotary following Rt. 32 . Get off the second exit of the traffic rotary (Rte 32 N), Warren Street.The Museum is located five blocks down on the right, just past the Armory building.

From the North:
Take I-87S to Exit 18 to Glens Falls. Proceed following directions abovehaving madea left turn off the ramp.

To get driving directions from MAPQUEST click here.

Museum Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday, 10AM – 5PM
Sunday, 12 – 5PM
Closed Mondays and all national holidays. Call to confirm programs.

Address:
The Hyde Collection
161 Warren St., Glens Falls
New York 12801
Phone: 518-792-1761
Fax: 518-792-9197
info@hydecollection.org

Admission:
Admission to Hyde House free,
donations welcomed.
Special exhibition rates may apply.
There is a fee for group tours.

Museum Store
Open during regular
Museum hours.
Phone: 518-792-1761, ext. 31

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