N-YHS president Louise Mirrer, honoree Nancy Newcomb, and Betsy Gotbaum.
On
June 2, 220 guests attended the New-York Historical Society's (N-YHS)
annual Strawberry Festival luncheon. More than $450,000 was raised,
which will benefit the programs of the N-YHS, including major exhibitions
and educational programs on American history.
In addition, a portion of proceeds from jewelry sold at an exclusive
Baccarat trunk show featuring the stunning summer 2008 collection,
will also benefit N-YHS. Baccarat also donated a signature necklace
from its Psydelic collection that retails for $500, which was reaped
in a raffle by a very delighted attendee.
Financial executive Nancy Newcomb, in recognition
of her eight years of committed service on the N-YHS Board and her
role as co-chair of its Executive Committee, received the Distinguished
Service Award from former N-YHS president Betsy Gotbaum,
herself a previous Strawberry Luncheon honoree.
In a keynote address, former Manhattan prosecutor and best-selling
author Linda Fairstein lauded the abundant holdings
of N-YHS's Library, which she draws upon to enrich her
thrillers with vibrant details of New York City's past. Ms. Fairstein
noted that the title of her 2003 novel, TheDeadhouse, was
inspired by information gained from reviewing original documents at
the N-YHS Library.
The first recorded gathering of the New-York Historical Society's Strawberry
Festival was on June 15, 1856 in Washington Square Park, where guests enjoyed
a stimulating lecture and strawberry feast. This rite of spring disappeared
in the 1960s, but was revived in May of 2000. Previous Strawberry Festivals
have honored Hillary Clinton, Betsy Gotbaum, Michelle Obama, Anna Quindlen,
Leslie Stahl, Christine Quinn and Wendy Wasserstein.
Since 1804, the New-York Historical Society has served as a collective
memory of New York, accumulating vast collections in both the library and the
museum that include one of the finest collections of American paintings in
the world. The mission of the newly revitalized Historical Society is to use
these collections to help New Yorkers understand the complex and diverse issues
in American history, which contributed to the world we know today.
Nancy Newcomb, Linda Fairstein.
Carole Einiger, Barbara Kohn.
Barbara Vogelstein, Jane Gosden, and Effie Fribourg.
Barbara Kohn, Beth Tunick.
Peggy Bonapace, JR Roessl.
Nancy Newcomb, Diana DiMenna.
Barrett Frelinghuysen, Betsy Gotbaum.
Stephanie and Carol Landess.
Peggy Gilder, Peggy Tirschwell.
Judy Moon, Diana DiMenna, Molly Monahan, and Esra Munnell.
