n Friday, November 15th, 2024, French Heritage Society hosted their annual Gala Dinner Dance – The Celestial Ball – at a private club in Manhattan.
The evening celebrated the historicreopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral and recognized the role Americans – both philanthropists and artisans – played in its restoration. Odile de Schiétère-Longchampt, interior designer and steadfast champion of FHS, was honored for her commitment to lifting up the tradition of French decorative arts by FHS Chairman Elizabeth F. Stribling. FHS Executive Director Jennifer Herlein honored Hank Silver, an American carpenter who spent eighteen months rebuilding the wooden roof framing of the cathedral’s nave.
The lattergave a moving presentation about his experience that held the room rapt, followed by an exciting and successful live auction lead by Nick Dawes, Vice President of Heritage Auctions. The festive evening concluded with dancing to the fabulous Bob Hardwick Sound.
Notre-Dame de Paris will reopen on December 8, 2024, with reopening festivities planned through June 2025. In 2019, only hours after the outbreak of the devastating fire that shocked the world, FHS launched its dedicated Notre-Dame Fire Restoration Fund which raised close to $2.6 million for the restoration from more than 3,300 donors.
Guests were welcomed by Special Events Chair CeCe Black as well as President Denis de Kergorlay and Deputy Consul General of France in New York Myriam Gil. Special thanks were offered to Gala Chairmen Liz McDermott Barnes, Jean Shafiroff, and Ann Van Ness.
They were joined by guests including FHS Board Members Timothy Corrigan, Christian Draz, Jennifer Farrell, Rosann Gutman, Brenda Howard, Isabelle de Laroulliere, Maureen M. Nash, George P. Sape, and Jacqueline Wilson, as well as Lee Black, Sharon Bush and Bob Murray, Geoffrey Bradfield and William Featherby, Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane, Yann Coatanlem, Gigi Fisdell, Maria and Kenneth Fishel, Lee Fryd, Meera Gandhi, Penny Grant, Marifé Hernandez and Joel Bell, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Cheri Kaufman, Michael Kovner and Jean Doyen de Montaillou, Margo Langenberg, Pamela Morgan, Guy Robinson, Sandra Ripert, Sana Sabbagh, Susan Sarofim, Daisy Soros, Barbara Tober, William Van Ness, Rebecca and Stephen Whyte and many more.
Proceeds from FHS’s events support its mission to ensure that the treasures of French architectural and cultural heritage survive to delight, educate and inspire future generations.
Upcoming events include:
December 5, 2024 – The Legacy of La Pausa, New York Chapter event at the Colony Club, February 16, 2025 – Palm Beach Gala at Club Colette. April 15, 2025 – Palm Beach Luncheon at Swifty’s at The Colony, May 20, 2025 – Diner des Mécènes at Cercle de l’Union Interalliée, Paris, May 21-23, 2025 – FHS Members’ Trip to Paris and July 18, 2025 – Summer Soirée in the Hamptons.
French Heritage Society
Our generous members and donors help us achieve our mission to sustain French architectural and cultural heritage by supporting activities that embody our core values of Preservation, Education and French Art de Vivre.
Preservation
Funding the preservation and restoration of culturally and historically significant French architecture lies at the heart of our mission. To date, we have awarded $15.8 millionin grantsto approximately 687 châteaux, historic properties and gardens in France and the United States. FHS also creates special funds for emergency restoration efforts, which have provided critical support following the fire at Notre-Dame in Paris and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
Education
Each year, FHS selects and sends around 25 students from universities in France and the United States across the Atlantic for internships at esteemed institutions. Since our inception, 582 students have benefitted from these opportunities.
The Richard Morris Hunt Prize, established in partnership with the Architects Foundation, fosters cross-cultural professional exchange for architects between France and the United States. Two French or American laureates are selected each year.
French Art de Vivre
Our network includes 10 chapters across the United States and one in Paris. Collectively, they organize over 40 events each year, raising local awareness and funds for our mission while celebrating l’art de vivre. The FHS community comes together for our annual fundraising galas in New York, Palm Beach and Paris, and members enjoy access to exclusive curated trips to France.
Photo credit: 1) Ann Van Ness, Elizabeth Stribling, Jean Shafiroff, CeCe Black, Liz M 2) Bill Van Ness, Anne Van Ness. 3) Jennifer Farrell. 4) Lucia Hwong Gordon. 5) Monte Tomerlin, Poppy Paulos art. 6) Sharon Bush, Bob Murray. 7) Stewart F. Lane, Bonnie Comley, Denis de Kergorlay .by Annie Watt Agency and PMC/Jared Siskin.
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