In 1908, Sag Harbor benefactress, Mrs. Russell Sage, began the process to create what would later be named Mashashimuet Park for the youth and families of the area.
According to the 1920 constitution forming the Park and Recreation Association of Sag Harbor, N.Y.,
Mrs. Russell Sage
“The objects for which the corporation is formed are exclusively, charitable, benevolent and patriotic, being the mental and physical development and improvement of children and young people as a means of equipping them for good citizenship; the providing of opportunities for wholesome recreation; the ownership, operation and maintenance of parks, playgrounds and recreation buildings, and the carrying on of such other activities as may be helpful to these ends.”
Early History
1874
Hamptons Driving Park and Fair
Grounds Association is formed.
1879
Half-mile oval track built for carriage team races, trotting and walking races.
The park is named Sag Harbor, Hampton and Shelter Island Park and Fair Grounds
Exhibition building built for judging
produce, poultry, flowers, and baked goods.
1890
Exhibition building destroyed by fire.
1893
Great Bicycle Tournament – over 1,000 spectators.
1900
Park grounds in deteriorated condition.
1908
Mrs. Russell Sage purchases the park from Park and Fair Grounds Association and builds the house for a park superintendent, a playground, two tennis courts and an athletic field.
Grandstand construction begins.
William Wallace Tooker names the park “Mashashimuet”, Algonquin for ‘Place of the Great Springs’.
1910
Mrs. Sage purchases the lands surrounding Otter Pond to add to the Park property.
13 houses are moved off-site and given to needy families.
1911-1914
Baseball, tennis, track and field events take place.
Children’s Garden planted with 114 plots for individual children to tend.
Weekly band concerts in bandstand on top of hill.
1913
Pierson High School students earn and contribute 10 cents each for a flag pole.
Bandstand moved to base of hill to make way for the flag pole and plaque
acknowledging Mrs. Sage’s interest in children.
1917
Mrs.Russell Sage turned the park and library properties over to the Russell Sage Foundation.
1918
Death of Mrs. Russell Sage at the age of 90.
1920
Sage Foundation deeds the Park property to the Park and Recreation Association of Sag Harbor, N.Y.Inc., a non-profit organization chartered by the New York State and establishes by-laws and a board of directors to run the Park.
1960
Sag Harbor Lion’s Club Annual East Egg Hunt begins
2022
Grandstand Refurbished