Ice Yachts on display again at the Wallace Center at the FDR Museum & Library

The Hudson River Ice Yacht Club is again displaying several ice boats at the FDR Library & Museum this holiday season. After a few frustrating days of uncertainty, due to the threatened Government shut down, the compromise agreed upon kept the Museum open. We have set up Hound, Comet, and Allons in the Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home. This trio of yachts are all from Hyde Park. 

 Allons was built by Samuel Rogers in Hyde Park, N.Y. in 1899 for Henry B. Sleight.Sleight was a charter member of the Hyde Park Ice Yacht Club, established in 1899. Allons raced frequently in Club races from their inaugural racing season in 1900 through 1910.  Allons is owned by George Vengrin.

Comet was part of Archie Rogers collection of Ice Boats. It was built for his son, William Coleman Rogers, in the early 1900s. Comet is Cat-rigged – It sails with just a mainsail, no jib. Comet raced frequently in Club races, taking a first place trophy for sixth class yachts, beating Allons in the race of February 12, 1909.   

Hound  came from the Huntington estate in Staatsburg It was likely built in the early 1900s. Robert Huntington had several ice yachts that he raced, and his daughter Helen Huntington also sailed the family ice boats. Helen married Vincent Astor, who also owned and raced several ice boats, and was a member of the Hyde Park Ice Yacht Club. It is speculated that Hound may be one of Vincent Astor’s ice yachts, which may have been stored at Helen Huntington’s barns in Staatsburgh. Hound is maintained & sailed by the Burger family.

Boats will be set up by Sunday 12/22 and will be on display through January 5, 2025. This follows last years exhibit at the Wallace Center which was well received by many visitors that came to the site over the holidays. A video of the exhibit was the most viewed video in the FDR channel on You Tube! The boats can be seen -- with full rigging -- in the Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home, during regular operating hours (9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.), with free admission. The facilities are closed on Christmas and New Years Day. Come to Hyde Park - the display is free at the Wallace Visitor Center. 

                         Setting up at the Wallace Center, Hyde Park.