"The Tobacco Factory" Mural – Red Hook, Dutchess County, New York

For over 100 years, the Tobacco Factory was a major employer in Red Hook. The factory was built by Mr. Robert Massonneau around the 1830’s. This building was the first business outside the Livingston stronghold. Sail boating sloops would transport the tobacco up the Hudson River to the Donaldson’s Dock (now known as Barrytown Landing), and the excitement generated by all this trade activity can be noted in a quote by William S. Massoneau in his book "History of Tobacco": "When a couple of hogsheads of Tobacco came to the Barrytown Dock, it was sent for with a large wagon and four horses to attract attention and sometimes a bugler, on horseback was sent ahead to announce its coming, as it was considered a noteworthy event."

In the upper section of the mural "The Tobacco Factory" is a depiction of men and women workers inside the factory during the mid-1850s. While employed women were rarity for the times, we know from historical records that many women in the area worked at the tobacco factory to supplement their family’s income. Next to this is a man reading to his employees to keep them attentive to their work. This habit of reading to one’s employees which first began in Red Hook was soon adopted by many factories in the Hudson Valley region during the 19th century.