Combined families — ‘Most artistic setting’ for soiree

This is the latest in an occasional series of posts about the daughters of Samuel Pruyn and their families that lived in the three houses that now are the campus of The Hyde Collection art museum in Glens Falls.

Glens Falls Insurance Company closed its offices at 2:45 p.m. so that employees could attend the soiree.

“No doubt this plan will be adapted by other business institutions,” The Post-Star reported.

More than 400 people attended the Glens Falls Hospital Guild lawn party Sept. 13, 1917 that Charlotte Hyde and Mary Hoopes hosted “on the spacious lawn” at Hyde House.

“The Hospital Guild, which organized the party, caused a temporary platform to be erected at the foot of the vine-covered stone steps leading from the Hyde residence. With the high terrace wall as a background, this gave a most artistic setting.”

Four “of the most prominent of the country’s stage artists,” who were vacationing at Lake George for the summer, volunteered to provide “an exceptional program.”

Broadway actress Frances Starr performed patriotic recitations. Mildred Drilling performed on harp. Mrs. Henry Holden Huss, a soprano with the Metropolitan Opera, sang and was accompanied on piano by her husband.

Sources: The Post-Star Sept. 7,9,15, 1917.

In other historical news of the Combined Families:

The Post-Star reported on May 8 and May 11, 1920 that Polly Hoopes, daughter of Maurice and Mary Hoopes, played the role of Phyllis Faraday in the Glens Falls Academy Dramatic Club performances of “Green Stockings” at Glens Falls and Mount McGregor.

Click here to read the most recent previous post in the series.