When the kegger in question is at Naumkeag— the 19th-century mansion with historic grounds in Stockbridge—you know to wear your nattiest garden party attire and prepare to be wowed by the setting.
Hosted by The Trustees of Reservations (who operate the property as a museum), the elegant afternoon included live music and performances, flower-arranging demonstrations and garden-inspired light bites and libations. Front and center: honorary co-chairs Bob and Elisabeth Wilmers, co-chairs Hilary Deely and Celia Kittredge, assorted Spragues, legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma and his wife, arts consultant Jill Hornor, former Gov. Bill Weld, Cantabrigian cool kids Amy and Jonathan Poorvu, latter-day Lucille Ball Julia Owens and her parents, Beacon Hillions Biddy and Bob Owens, redheaded beauty Lauren LeBlanc and her handsome other half, Paul, the perfectly lovely Nicie Panetta, Berkshires big shot Richard Seltzer and one woman who said, “Serving drinks and then encouraging people to walk down the Blue Steps is perhaps questionable judgment.”
Another guest, upon discovering the Chinese Garden, exclaimed, “Look! There’s no need to dig a hole to China.”
However, the best comment came from Bob Wilmers, who said, “The Choate family paid $36,000 for this house in the 1880s, and I think Joseph Choate would be appalled to know that we spent over $4 million restoring the gardens, but the results are pretty spectacular.”
’Nuff said.
Photo Credit: Matthew Healey
Avez-vous dish? Dirt? A spectacular social occasion? Call J.S. at 617-859-1400, ext. 303, or send an email to jonathan@improper.com.
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Naumkeag Garden Party
By Jonathan Soroff | Aug. 18, 2017
Denise Trapani and Yo-Yo Ma at the Naumkeag Garden Party
Paul LeBlanc and Nicie Panetta at the Naumkeag Garden Party
Tyler Weld and former Governor William Weld at the Naumkeag Garden Party
Marion Gilliam, Jane Ryan and Mark Williams at the Naumkeag Garden Party
The Naumkeag Garden Party was held by The Trustees on the grounds of Naumkeag in Stockbridge, Massachusetts on July 22, 2017.
The Trustees' Executive Vice President Jocelyn Forbush, Nathan Hayward, Robert G. and Elisabeth Wilmers, Hilary Deely, General Manager Brian Cruey, Celia deG. Kittredge, Trustees Board of Directors Paul LeBlanc, Trustees Vice President Joanna Ballantine, Trustees Board of Directors Peter Coffin and Nicie Panetta
Amy and Jonathan Poorvu, Bob and Biddy Owens, Jonathan Soroff, Sam Mazzarelli Julia Owens
When the kegger in question is at Naumkeag— the 19th-century mansion with historic grounds in Stockbridge—you know to wear your nattiest garden party attire and prepare to be wowed by the setting.
Hosted by The Trustees of Reservations (who operate the property as a museum), the elegant afternoon included live music and performances, flower-arranging demonstrations and garden-inspired light bites and libations. Front and center: honorary co-chairs Bob and Elisabeth Wilmers, co-chairs Hilary Deely and Celia Kittredge, assorted Spragues, legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma and his wife, arts consultant Jill Hornor, former Gov. Bill Weld, Cantabrigian cool kids Amy and Jonathan Poorvu, latter-day Lucille Ball Julia Owens and her parents, Beacon Hillions Biddy and Bob Owens, redheaded beauty Lauren LeBlanc and her handsome other half, Paul, the perfectly lovely Nicie Panetta, Berkshires big shot Richard Seltzer and one woman who said, “Serving drinks and then encouraging people to walk down the Blue Steps is perhaps questionable judgment.”
Another guest, upon discovering the Chinese Garden, exclaimed, “Look! There’s no need to dig a hole to China.”
However, the best comment came from Bob Wilmers, who said, “The Choate family paid $36,000 for this house in the 1880s, and I think Joseph Choate would be appalled to know that we spent over $4 million restoring the gardens, but the results are pretty spectacular.”
’Nuff said.
Photo Credit: Matthew Healey
Avez-vous dish? Dirt? A spectacular social occasion? Call J.S. at 617-859-1400, ext. 303, or send an email to jonathan@improper.com.
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