This is where legends are born…

The Sports Museum of Dutchess County (SMDC) was conceived in the mind of the late Charles R. "Mr. Average Bowler" Howroyd in 1973. He envisioned a complex dedicated to sports and discussed this dream with several county legislators and sportsmen. In January 1974, the group met and took the first step. Committees were formed to look into sites, financing, publicity and membership. Slowly and painstakingly, the group moved forward, submitting a tentative charter to the State Education Department in the summer of 1974.

In April of 1988, SMDC was issued a provisional charter. In August of 1988, SMDC was recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization. A final determination was made on December 31, 1992, that entitled SMDC with an exempt status.

In 1994 and again in 1999 SMDC applied for a five-year extension to the original Provisional Charter which was granted. From the very beginning the organization actively worked to procure a building which could be used as a permanent museum. Many leads were provided but they did not materialize until 2005. SMDC now has a home at the Carnwath Farm in the Town of Wappinger which has allowed SMDC to apply as a Permanent Charter.

However, prior to a permanent home, the museum had presented Dutchess County sports history to the county residents through exhibits at various activities within the county. These include Sportsmen Shows, the Dutchess County Fair, the Dutchess County Balloon Races, state festivals, malls and numerous town community days. While originally located at the Ball Park Tavern, SMDC held numerous open houses on weekends that were open to the public. During the week, the Museum was open by appointment for any group that was interested.

SPDC displays include Baseball Hall of Fame members Eddie Collins and Dan Brouthers, celebrities such as Chuck Connors and Whitey Ford, who played for baseball teams in Dutchess County; recent baseball players Austin Knickerbocker, Elmer Steele, Wes Westrum and Ricky Horton; and Melio Bettina, who was the 1939 lightheavyweight champion of the world. Displays have been assembled for tennis, golf, bowling, soccer, dartball, figure skating, speed skating, baseball and basketball.

In 1977, the Sports Museum of Dutchess County initiated a Hall of Fame where active sports oriented people could be recognized for their contributions to sports rather than for their accomplishments. To date over 200 sportsmen and sportswomen have been inducted into the hall. The inductees are given special plaques to commemorate the occasion of their induction and are awarded Life Memberships in the organization. The museum maintains a permanent display of the inductees.

The museum is governed by a Board of Trustees which meets the third Thursday of each month and is comprised of 22 sports-minded men and women. Membership is open to everyone interested in preserving the vast sports history of Dutchess County and strive to ensure sports continue in Dutchess County.

SMDC is finally met their long-term goal off having the museum open to the public, where the rich sports history of Dutchess County can be displayed. This includes a library, Ralph Holt Learning Center, meeting rooms, artifacts and a display of all the various sports Halls of Fame in Dutchess County.