Sept. 22, 2016 - Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino today officially dedicated Alfred B. DelBello Muscoot Farm Park, in honor of the former county executive who passed away in May of 2015. DelBello played an integral role in preserving the park as an interactive farm during his tenure in the mid-1970s. From the 1800s into the early 20th century, the farm was one of scores of “gentleman’s farms” in the area, owned by businessmen from New York City.
Joined by DelBello’s wife Dee, son Damon and, 100 other family members and friends, as well as elected officials including Chairman of the County Board of Legislators, Michael Kaplowitz, Astorino spoke glowingly of his predecessor.
“One of Al DelBello’s great accomplishments was positioning Muscoot Farm for the future, while preserving its past,” said Astorino. “Today, we’re officially renaming a gentleman’s farm after a true Gentleman of Westchester.”
Mrs. DelBello thanked Chairman Kaplowitz and the board for unanimously approving the name change. She also noted that based on her experience as the county’s First Lady, “...nothing gets done without the backing of the county executive.”
“Al was so very, very proud of this accomplishment,” said Mrs. DelBello. “He wanted inner-city people to come up close to the animals; to really experience the farms and produce and everything that agriculture means to our history in this county.”
Muscoot Farm, named for the river along which it sits, was operated by three generations of the Hopkins family. The farm was acquired by the county in 1968 under County Executive Edwin Michaelian, but it was DelBello who was determined to refurbish and preserve the space as a unique type of county park with a strong agricultural/educational component. Delbello opened the park to the public in 1975, and dedicated it in 1976.
Alfred B. DelBello Muscoot Farm Park:
- An early-1900s interpretive farm that is open year-round and offers a full schedule of programs for families, as well as group tours, farmyard visits and hayrides by reservation.
- Has more than seven miles of hiking trails allow visitors to explore some of the park’s 777 acres through fields, woodlands and wetlands.
- Visitors can walk through the dairy barn, milk house, ice house, blacksmith shop and other barns and buildings.
- Livestock and poultry include breeds typical of an early 20th century gentleman's farm.
- The Main House is used to exhibit monthly art shows by local artists.
- More than 135,000 visitors from Westchester and the region visit Muscoot every year.