Glens Falls, NY – On Saturday, May 22, 2004, from 9:45 AM to 5 PM, The Hyde Collection will celebrate the completion of the Museum’s expansion wing and the grand reopening of historic Hyde House, home of Museum founders Louis and Charlotte Hyde. Rain or shine, the day will include a fun-filled schedule of events offered FREE to the public, beginning with an official ribbon cutting ceremony. A special tour of the newly constructed expansion wing will offer a glimpse of what goes on behind-the-scenes at the Museum — normally off limits to the public. Visitors that day will be one of the first to see Hyde House after undergoing extensive restoration efforts which transformed the historic building to more accurately reflect the time period when the Hyde’s lived in the home. Other highlights include: a jazz performance by Lee Shaw, Capital Region’s "Lady of Jazz"; a one act play inspired by works in The Hyde Collection presented by battenkill.poets.theatre; lectures by Museum curator Erin Coe and Jeffrey Baker of Mesick Cohen Wilson Baker Architects regarding the restoration of Hyde House both; and art-related family activities throughout the day.

The preservation of Hyde House and the construction of the expansion wing were part of The Hyde Collection’s Comprehensive Plan, which launched in December, 2002 along with the establishment of an endowment fund for future conservation initiatives. "May 22, 2004 marks the completion of the Comprehensive Plan, and gives the Museum an opportunity to reintroduce itself to the community as one of the brightest examples of Glens Falls’ future," stated Randall Suffolk, museum director. "We hope this exciting time for the Museum will encourage our constituency to not only see Hyde House restored, but everything The Hyde has to offer visitors of all ages."

Sponsors for the reopening celebration are: Platinum Level: WARREN COUNTY; Gold Level: Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company; Silver Level: MLB Construction Services, LLC; Stewart’s Shops; Bronze Level: JMZ Architects, Inc.; Mahoney Notify-Plus, Inc.; Mesick Cohen Wilson Baker Architects, LLP; and  Media Sponsor: The Post-Star.

9:45 AM

Glens Falls High School Symphonic Band

10 AM

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

10 AM

Exhibition Opening

Masterworks: Selections from the New Britain Museum of American Art

11 AM

Historic Hyde House Reopens

Be one of the first to view the restored home of Museum Founders Louis and Charlotte Hyde

Behind-the-Scenes Tours

See for yourself what goes on behind-the-scenes in the new expansion wing at The Hyde

11 AM - 5 PM

Children's Activities

Art-related family fun offered throughout the day

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Jeffrey Baker of Mesick Cohen Wilson Baker Architects will discuss the stucco replacement process of Hyde House and related projects

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Jazz Trio Performance

Musical performance by Lee Shaw, Capital Region's "Lady of Jazz"

1:00 - 2:00 PM

Hyde curator, Erin Coe will discuss the research and implementation of the Furnishing Plan for Hyde House

3:00 - 4:00 PM

Theater Performance - Masquerade

An original one act play inspired by works in The Hyde Collection, presented by battenkill.poets.theatre

# # #

The Hyde Collection is a historic house and art museum complex that combines the heritage of the Adirondack Region with a distinguished permanent collection consisting of works by European old and modern masters and American artists, important decorative arts and antique furnishings. In addition, the Museum provides changing exhibitions in four gallery spaces, lectures, concerts, family activities and school programming as well as a Museum Shop. Admission is FREE with voluntary donations accepted. The Hyde Collection is a publicly supported institution located at 161 Warren Street, Glens Falls, New York. Open year-round Tuesday-Saturday 10 am - 5 pm, and Sunday noon - 5 pm., Closed Mondays and national holidays. Admission is FREE. For information, call 518-792-1761.