Jeanne Hyatt Receives Distinguished Service Award

On a quiet corner of the Green sits the 1820 Academy. But the tidy white school house has only been there since the early 1970s, when Jeanne Hyatt and four friends rallied to save, move, and restore it.

On Dec. 6, the Board of Selectmen bestowed a Distinguished Service Award upon Jeanne, recognizing 39 years of service with the Academy on the Green committee. Jeanne was first appointed in 1972 and most recently served as president. She's decided to retire from service.

"I've done it for 39 years. Someone else should have the fun!" says Jeanne. "Jane Bouley is taking it on and she will do a wonderful job."

Jeanne's commitment began as she, John Moss, Ralph Neilson, Daniel Dole, and Paul Blackstone converged with a plan to relocate, restore, and preserve the Academy building.

Mired in a dismal location behind First Congregational Church, the Academy looked as if it had been plunked down without much thought-and that's exactly what happened. When planning for a town hall, the town fathers decided the ideal spot was where the Academy then stood.

"This building was there and they decided they wanted to move the building. While they were moving it, a fire alarm came in. They put down next to the Congregational Church and left it there," says Jeanne.

In its haphazard locale, the Academy eventually became property of the Mason Widow's Sons Lodge No. 66, which gradually made less and less use of the building. By the time Jeanne and company decided to intervene, the two-story clapboard structure with the charming bell tower was in need of a rescue.

"We all loved the building-who doesn't?" asks Jeanne. "It was falling apart."

In January 1971, the Masons officially deeded the Academy over to the town. Meanwhile, the committee was formed and fundraising began for a major move and restoration.

"There was a tremendous reaction. Everyone wanted to see it moved," says Jeanne of the fundraising response.

The restoration included installing a basement to create a viable venue available for private and town use. Finally, the day came to relocate the Academy.

"John Moss had oxen and people in period dress and moved it," recalls Jeanne of the celebratory event.

With a new roof, revitalized interior and freshly painted exterior, wiring for heat and lights, and plumbing, the restored Academy was better than ever. As part of the five-member committee, Jeanne's helped oversee it. A recent façade renovation combated rot. The vault-ceilinged second floor recently received a beautiful interior paint scheme, including a robin's egg blue ceiling (see it at www.zip06.com/branford).

Jeanne's enjoyed serving from day one through her last day just a short while ago. In her "retirement," she's staying busy maintaining the indoor garden (featuring Jeanne's famous red geraniums) at Orchard House Adult Medical Day Care and enjoys hosting guests, including a quilting group, at her historic Pawson Park home.

Jeanne and her late husband Don moved into the spacious house in 1957. The couple met while Jeanne was a production assistant and Don was a producer with NBC in New York. Jeanne stayed at NBC through 1960 (after raising the Hyatts's children, she later enjoyed a 21-year career with Regional Water Authority). Don remained with NBC for some three decades, becoming one of the most notable, and award-winning, television producers in America. Don also chaired the Orchard House board for 10 years.

A Pelham, New York, native, Jeanne says her heart will always be in Branford, where the Academy and her beloved home reside. The Hyatts's house is one Don loved and cared for, after growing up summering here on the shoreline with his family.

"My dream was always to find some handsome young man from Connecticut, and I did!" says Jeanne.