On November 8th, French Heritage Society (FHS) celebrated its 35th Anniversary with an “On the Riviera” themed cocktail dînatoire soirée, where they announced they will award 1.1 million dollars for 21 restoration projects throughout France and the United States in 2017.
Held at a private club in Manhattan, the event was presented by the Ambassador of France to the U.S. Gérard Araud, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations François Delattre and Mrs. Sophie L’Hélias-Delattre, Consul General of France in New York Ms. Anne-Claire Legendre, Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy in the United States Mrs. Bénédicte de Montlaur and Mr. Keith Yazmir, and the soirée chairs CeCe Black, Jean Shafiroff, Ann Van Ness, Maureen M. Nash, Jay R. Paul, Xavier Flouret and Silvina Leone with New York Chapter Chairs, Odile de Schiétère-Longchampt and Guy N. Robinson.
A cocktail reception set to the music of The Bob Hardwick Sound commenced with passed hors d’oeuvres before an upscale buffet opened. Attendees then gathered in the main room to raise their glasses as Chairman of the Board, Elizabeth F. Stribling held a champagne toast to welcome guests. Following a brief introduction to the program, CeCe Black presented Brook Hazelton, President of Christie’s Americas, to start the evening’s auction. Supporters were given the opportunity to bid on three lots that included a lavish trip to Discover Paris and the French Riviera, dinner for four at Skybox at Daniel accompanied by two magnums of 2005 Chateau d’Yquem, and a trip to La Mamounia, the legendary 5-star palace hotel in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Maud Leclair, a FHS Student Exchange Program intern at The Metropolitan Museum of Art expressed her great gratitude for the program, in her testimony stating, “I would not be here, without the support from French Heritage Society.” As the night proceeded, partygoers who were dressed from head-to-toe in 1920’s inspired clothing, were given an opportunity to contribute to FHS’ 35th Anniversary Restoration Grant for the Organgerie du Parc de Bagatelle as well as the FHS Student Exchange Program. They were also treated to a raffle and ended the night with music, coffee, and delectable desserts.
Notable guests included: Sharon Bush, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Lee Black, Michael Cox Witmer, Dr. Penny Grant, R. Couri Hay, Valerie Lettan, Judy McLaren, Martin Shafiroff, Jennifer Herlein, Michael Kovner, Jean Doyen de Montaillou, Shaune Arp, Veronique Bich, Geoffrey Bradfield, J. Brooks, Yann Coatanlem, Lynn Finesilver Crystal, Ronald Lee Fleming, David B. Ford, John and Carole French, Alison Harmelin, Elizabeth Hartnett, Ursula and Paul Lowerre, Jeannie Rutherfoord, Sana Sabbagh, David Sadroff, and Betty and Stanley Scott.
The French Heritage Society was founded in 1982 as a two-way street for Americans and French to share their love of historic architecture. French Heritage Society intervenes to ensure that the treasures of our shared French architectural and cultural heritage survive to inspire future generations to build, dream and create. FHS has contributed to over 550 restoration grants and helped secure $19.5 million dollars for historic monuments, buildings and gardens in every department in France and to properties in the United States that reflect France’s historic influence. There are 11 Chapters of the Society throughout the United States and Paris.
