Tom and Mitch Stokes, the sons of Barbara Hoyt Stokes, paid a heartfelt tribute to their family's legacy at Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve recently. The two men presented the preserve with fieldstones bearing memorial plaques, commemorating the contributions of their mother and aunt, Barbara Hoyt Stokes and Rosalie Chase Hoyt. This gesture underscores the enduring connection between the Hoyt family and the Nature Preserve.
Tom and Mitch Stokes drove from Massachusetts to deliver large fieldstones adorned with bronze plaques, emphasizing their commitment to preserving their family's heritage.
The Hoyt family has a deep-rooted history on Hoyt Farm, with Barbara and Rosalie growing up alongside their siblings Nancy Hoyt St. John and Edwin C. Hoyt Jr. Their parents, Edwin C. Hoyt Sr. and Maria Louisa Hoyt, purchased the farm in 1910, operating it as a commercial orchard through World War II and beyond.
Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve, purchased by the Town of Smithtown in 1965 from Maria Hoyt, spans 133 acres and maintains 24 apple trees without pesticides. It offers a wide range of educational programs, events, concerts, and historic tours for the community.
Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim expressed deep gratitude to the Stokes brothers for their generosity and ongoing support of the Nature Preserve's mission. He emphasized the preserve's role as a sanctuary for family memories, nature exploration, and education about local history and wildlife.
The stones were installed in the memorial garden dedicated to Barbara Hoyt Stokes, adjacent to the Nature Museum, by the dedicated staff of Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve. This installation held special significance for the Stokes brothers, reflecting their lifelong dedication to environmental advocacy.
Park Director Jeff Gumin and Park Interpretive Specialist Sheryl Brook expressed their pride in fulfilling the Hoyt family's vision for the park, emphasizing its unique role in nurturing wildlife, educating the public, and promoting conservation.
The inscriptions on the plaques beautifully capture Barbara and Rosalie's contributions to nature and education. Barbara Hoyt Stokes, remembered as an artist and lifelong nature enthusiast, sought to protect the woods she loved. Rosalie Chase Hoyt is commemorated as a physicist, teacher, and environmentalist.
Mitch Stokes conveyed the family's profound appreciation for the Farm staff's dedication to educating and inspiring future generations about nature.
Under the leadership of Jeff Gumin, the Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve team continues to honor the Hoyt family's legacy by preserving and educating about the area's natural beauty. Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve remains a testament to the enduring legacy of the Hoyt family and their commitment to environmental conservation and education.
For inquiries about educational programs and events at Hoyt Farm, please contact (631) 543-7804.