Our Center's History

The name “Hoyt” pops up all over Lawrence County history—and for good reason. Around here, it’s synonymous with hometown devotion and a philanthropic motivation that remains unmatched to this day. A lot of visitors recognize the name, but we still hear the same question all the time: who were the Hoyts?

It all starts with Lewis Stiles Hoyt, who arrived in New Castle in the mid-1800s from New Jersey with his brother Peter. The two took over a dry goods store right on the Diamond downtown. But, Lewis didn’t stop there. He got involved in coal mining in the small community of Clinton near the Beaver County line, ran a farm, raised cattle, and steadily built a life that was tied to just about every corner of the local economy.

He married Anna Crawford, whose family was already deeply rooted in industry, and together they raised three children: May Emma, Huanna, and Alex (who went by his middle name, Crawford). As the family grew, so did Lewis’s influence. He became a key figure in banking, eventually serving as president of Citizens National Bank, and even dabbled in real estate development. At one point, he acquired land in West Virginia that turned out to be rich in oil, adding yet another layer to the family’s story.

Back in New Castle, the Hoyts lived in a grand Queen Anne-style home on North Jefferson Street, where the children grew up and were educated. But it’s really the next generation, May Emma and Crawford, who left the mark we still feel today.

In the early 1900s, the siblings used their inheritance to build the neighboring estates that are now home to the Hoyt Center for the Arts. And while the homes were impressive, it was what they did for the community that made them stand out.

Crawford, a Yale-trained engineer turned banker, became president of First National Bank and supported causes like the Boy Scouts, Jameson Memorial Hospital, the United Way, and Westminster College. May Emma was just as committed. Her philanthropy helped fund the Jameson Nurses’ residence, establish the May Emma Hoyt Foundation, and secure land for Union Area’s high school.

Today, their homes are still very much alive with purpose. May Emma’s house has been the heart of Arts & Education at the Hoyt since 1965, filled with galleries, classrooms, and creative energy. Next door, Crawford & his wife, June’s former home serves as a Period House, offering a glimpse into New Castle’s past and the world the Hoyts helped shape.

So when you hear the name “Hoyt,” it’s not just a name on a building. It’s a story of family, ambition, and a lasting commitment to the community that still echoes today.