A Brief History of Akin Hall

A short video profiling the Akin Hall Association and the Akin Free Library, which is historical building listed in the National Register of Historical Places. Philanthropist Albert J. Akin founded the Akin Hall Association over 100 years ago to promote community activism and development throughout the Hudson Valley Region. Akin was responsible for Bank of Pawling, bringing the railroad to Pawling and Dover, and establishing the Mizzentop as a premier resort hotel. He also built and endowed Akin Hall for non-denominational Christian worship, lectures, and enlightenment. In later years, renowned radio commentator Lowell Thomas continued Akin's legacy with the renovation and expansion of the Akin Free Library. Built in 1898, the Akin Free Library stands as a community resource center housing community documents, rare volumes, historic ledgers, genealogies of early families, as well as books by local authors, historical newspaper collections. In continuing the traditions set forth by Albert J. Akin, the Akin Hall Association currently provides over $20,000 per year to deserving local high school seniors for their college tuition.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Edward
• Murrow
• Quaker
• Hill
• Lowell
• Thomas
• Pawling