Hackett House Website Text: Final Version
Date: November 7, 2010
About Hackett House
Tempe’s fun event headquarters that raises funds for the Tempe Sister Cities Program
“Great food…great friends…great causes”
Built in 1888 in what is now the heart of downtown Tempe, the historic Hackett House is headquarters for the Tempe Sister Cities [LINK TO: TSC site] program and home to events and programs that serve the children of Tempe and the community at large.
All funds raised through Hackett House go to support City of Tempe programs, including the award-winning Tempe Sister Cities Organization, which sponsors student, teacher, professional and practical exchanges with all eight of Tempe’s International Sister Cities.
Whether you attend a class or event, shop in our gift shop, or rent our facility for your party or reception, the Hackett House’s old-world charm is sure to please.
Both adults and children enjoy the Hackett House
Just look at these events and programs for both adults and children offered at the Hackett House:
Take cooking classes with world-class chefs
Don’t know your panini from your prosciutto? Your blanching from your braising? Never fear! Our Hackett House cooking classes [LINK TO: Cooking Classes page] will have you whipping up tasty meals from start to finish.
Visit our gift shop
Find that perfect gift for someone special in the Hackett House gift shop [LINK TO: Gift Shop page]. You can choose from one-of-a-kind and whimsical items in our all volunteer-run store while you enjoy the historic surroundings.
Rent the Hackett House for your event
The perfect setting for any gathering or reception, you can rent the Hackett House [LINK TO: rental page] for private parties, weddings, and corporate events. The historic building provides by-gone era charm for any occasion.
Educate Tempe children
Hackett House Children’s Programs [LINK TO: Children’s Programs] give the youth of our community wonderful opportunities to learn and have fun at the same time:
· Provide cultural education with our Passport to the World program
· Engage young minds with school tours of our historic facilities
· Introduce children to the old-time fun of tea parties
· Encourage artistic expression through our Young Artist program
· Challenge young minds with our Geography Bee
[LINK TO: each Children’s Program highlighted in the bulleted list above]
Give back to your community
We love our volunteers—they are the lifeblood of our organization. If you have a heart for giving and a few extra hours to spare, we invite you to join us in the fulfilling volunteer opportunities [LINK TO: Reasons to volunteer page] we offer.
History of Hackett House
A rare example of Arizona Territorial Victorian-style architecture in the heart of downtown Tempe
William Hilge, a German immigrant to Tempe, built Hackett House in 1888 as Tempe’s first bakery.
Mr. Hilge constructed two buildings from fired red brick at the corner of Fourth and Maple, conveniently located near the Hayden flourmill, the railroad, and the Territorial Normal School (now ASU).
The ovens were located in the back building while freshly baked bread and pastries were displayed on the front window shelves to tempt passersbys.
After Mr. Hilge's death in 1905, the buildings were sold to the Craig family from Texas, who converted the building into a residence and later into a boarding house.
Hackett House received its name when Tempe’s first telephone operator, Estelle Craig, married Roy Hackett in the old bake house.
In 1974 the City of Tempe acquired the property from Mrs. Hackett, restored the building to its 1912 appearance, and put the property on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today Hackett House is the oldest fired red brick building in Tempe and a rare example of Arizona Territorial Victorian commercial architecture. It serves as headquarters for the Tempe Sister Cities [LINK TO: TSC homepage] organization and is visited by hundreds of national and international guests each year.
Would you like to be a part of the future of Hackett House?
With our exciting community programs, we strive to make a difference in our Tempe community. To do this, we rely on dedicated volunteers. Please follow this link to learn more about the volunteer opportunities at Hackett House [LINK TO: Volunteer page].
Volunteer at Hackett House:
Do you have a heart for helping others and care about the community and children of Tempe? Then volunteering at Hackett House is for you.
Please contact our volunteer coordinator [LINK TO: contact form going directly to volunteer coordinator] today. We need your support.
There are so many wonderful reasons to volunteer at Hackett House!
Meet new friends
There are always new people to meet in the Tempe community when you volunteer at Hackett House.
Develop leadership skills
Would you like to hone your existing leadership skills or develop new ones? We have opportunities in purchasing, managing, working with merchandise, organizing, and more. Whether you work on a one-time event or in an ongoing capacity, you can find satisfying volunteer work at Hackett House.
Advance the important work of the Tempe Sister Cities Program
If you are a parent of a child who has been part of Tempe Sister Cities [LINK TO: TSC site], you know first-hand how valuable this organization is to helping Tempe youth become upstanding global citizens. When you volunteer at Hackett House, you support Tempe Sister Cities and ensure that future generations can enjoy the same opportunities for learning and growth.
Enjoy the knowledge that ALL of your efforts benefit our Tempe community
Unlike organizations with high overhead costs, Hackett House is an all-volunteer organization. This means that your volunteer efforts help us reinvest 100% of our earnings back into our community.
Make a difference in the lives of Tempe children
For many of our volunteers, one of the most gratifying parts of being a Hackett House volunteer is getting to work directly with children from the Tempe community. Whether you are young yourself or simply young at heart, the Hackett House children’s programs [LINK TO: Children’s programs] provide our volunteers with opportunities to develop activities that are both fun and educational.
Take advantage of discounts at the Hackett House gift shop
Our gift shop volunteers and committee chairs enjoy discounts at the Hackett House gift shop [LINK TO: Gift Shop page]. Gift shop discounts are but one of the ways we thank the valued volunteers who make our community outreach programs possible.
Volunteer Opportunities
· Hackett House Gift Shop - Volunteers are needed to staff the gift shop, which is open Monday - Saturday from 10AM to 4PM.
· Adult Teas - Volunteers are needed to help prepare food, keep the teapots filled, and serve the guests for these teas, which are typically held once a month.
· Special Events - Volunteers are needed to help with setup, preparing food, serving food, and cleanup after the event. These events, which occur annually, include Mardi Gras, and Chocolate Happy Hour.
· Student field trips - Volunteers are needed to share information about a Sister City to Tempe sixth graders. Sister City artifacts, maps, and information are provided.
· "Passport to the World" program - Volunteers are needed to help with this award-winning program designed for children ages 7-12. Volunteers help children learn about a country through pre-planned hands-on activities involving food, music, crafts, literature and history. The program occurs several times a year from October to April, beginning at 9:15AM with registration and concluding after lunch, which the children prepare themselves.
Now you can experience the joy of volunteering at the Hackett House yourself
Please contact our volunteer coordinator [LINK TO: volunteer coordinator contact form] today to discuss available opportunities.
Or if you prefer, you may volunteer for specific events listed on this site by filling out the forms located on the webpage describing a particular event.
Gift Shop
Hours of Operation
September 15 through May 15
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Closed on Sundays
May 16 to September 14
Open Wednesdays Only: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm or by appointment
Delightful gifts for all budgets
The Hackett House gift shop offers whimsical gifts for every occasion—and every budget. Come in to our historic building in downtown Tempe and browse to your heart’s content.
You will find terrific gifts like these:
· Tea sets and accessories for the young and young at heart
· Sparkling selection of Christmas ornaments and decorations
· Unique jewelry from around the world
· Seasonal home decor
· Full line of embellishments by Demdaco
Sign up now and be among the first to hear about money-saving sales
What’s better than shopping at Hackett House for charming and unusual gifts? Why, shopping during a sale, of course!
To get the inside scoop on our exciting sale events, simply sign up for our email notifications. We will let you know in advance of our special “shopportunities”!
[LINK TO: Constant Contact sign up with checkboxes for different lists, including one for Gift Shop Sales]
Are you interested in management, merchandising, or customer service? We have many opportunities for volunteers at the Hackett House gift shop!
Hackett House Gift Shop is completely run by an all-volunteer staff of dedicated people who enjoy varied duties and the knowledge that their efforts help support the important programs of Tempe Sister Cities [LINK TO: TSC homepage].
Gift shop volunteers typically work a three-hour shift, either from 10 am-1 pm, or from 1 pm-4 pm. You can sign up online by simply following this link: Volunteer at the Hackett House gift shop [LINK TO: Constant Contact event for HH gift shop volunteers]
Mardi Gras Party
The ultimate Mardi Gras street party is a lot closer than you think: Hackett House brings the New Orleans spirit to Tempe for the jazziest jamboree in town March 4, 2011, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Hurry—spaces are limited! Reserve your spot [LINK TO: Constant Contact event link] for our spectacular Mardi Gras party event now.
The brass will be blowing, the drinks will be flowing, the food will be steaming, and the costumes will be sizzling at the third annual Mardi Gras celebration benefitting the Tempe Sister Cities. You’ll love the excitement of the Bourbon Street experience in our very own backyard, including:
· Live music, blasting the New Orleans sound
· French Quarter cocktails and down-home Louisiana cooking
· Glittering Mardi Gras beads to enhance your costume
· Prizes for the best costumes
· Silent Auction
· Door Prizes
· 50/50 Raffle
· 50% off one item in the Gift Shop
What’s not to love about enticing appetizers, liberal libations, and an all-around rollicking good time?
Snack on Louisiana style street food straight out of the French Quarter. You can enjoy:
· Shrimp Remoulade
· New Orleans’ Muffalettas
· Cajun Poppers
· Bayou Gumbo
· Southern Style Bread Pudding
· Bourbon Pecan Bars
In true Mardi Gras fashion, raise a glass and toast! We’ll have Hurricanes, wine and beer and one drink is included with your ticket.
Get all dolled up and drop by
The glitzier, the flashier, and the snazzier, the better: This is one time not to be shy! Break out the feathers, sequins, and Mardi Gras beads. Don a mask, a jester’s outfit or any apparel fit for a night of joyous revelry. After all, you could win a prize for best costume!
Mardi Gras is calling, won’t you join the jamboree?
Reserve your spot at the third annual Hackett House Mardi Gras bash today for just $25 per person or $45 per couple.
Your Big Easy evening will also benefit the Tempe Sister Cities [LINK TO: TSC homepage], so you can feel good about lavishing in life’s pleasures for a night.
Book your spot by registering online [LINK TO: Constant Contact event registration]
So what are you waiting for?
Come on down to the Bourbon Street festival (inside Hackett House) March 4, 2011, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and join the best Mardi Gras celebration outside of New Orleans!
Interested in helping us bring New Orleans to Tempe? We are accepting volunteers to help run the show! Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator [LINK TO: Volunteer Coordinator contact form] to learn more.
Chocolate Happy Hour, November, 2011
Calling all choc-o-holics! This November, Hackett House has the dessert delights you have been craving
Every November for the past nine years, Hackett House has satisfied Valley sweet tooths with our Chocolate Happy Hour.
Can you think of a better way to usher in holiday cheer than with chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate? (We didn’t think so!)
This popular event features:
· All-you-can-eat sumptuous appetizer buffet
· Bottomless decadent dessert spread
· TWO cascading fountains, one chocolate and one caramel, with dippable desserts. Your choice of one: chocolate martini, mudslide, wine or beer (with additional drinks available for purchase)
· 50% off one item in the gift shop
· Silent auction
· 50/50 raffle
· Door prizes
Click here to see photographs from previous Chocolate Happy Hour events [Thumbnail or small image LINKS TO slideshow of 2010 images]
Tickets for this chocolate bonanza are only $25 per person
What’s even better is that your ticket supports the important community programs of Tempe Sister Cities [LINK TO: TSC homepage]
Be the first to know when we schedule 2011’s mouth-watering event
Make sure you don’t miss out on any of the scrumptious fun by signing up now to receive Chocolate Happy Hour email notifications [LINK TO: Constant Contact sign up form with check boxes for different mailing lists including Chocolate Happy Hour].
Interested in volunteering [LINK TO Volunteer at Hackett House page] for Chocolate Happy Hour? We would be happy to discuss opportunities with you. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator [LINK TO: Volunteer Coordinator contact form] for more details.
Children’s Programs
Every year, over 1,000 children from our community visit Hackett House and benefit from our programs.
Our goal is to offer educational experiences that will encourage today’s youth to appreciate cultural and international diversity as they grow into the leaders of tomorrow—while also raising funds to support Tempe Sister Cities and City of Tempe educational programs.