1. society

The
Colonial D ames of A merica
Celebrates 125 Years
by Sharri Whiting De Masi
and Sharon Vaino
Reprinted courtesy of the Social Register Association
Contents
16
To Honor a Monarch:
King Kamehameha V (1830-1872)
Royal Festival in Hawai’i, December 11, 2014
Knights of the Orthodox Order of St. John
Russian Priory help honor King Kamehameha V,
and reawaken the forgotten link between Russia
and Hawai’i
Dame Kathryn Waddell Takara, PhD, Dame
OOSJ
19
22
In the Gallery
with Cade Tompkins Projects
Gallerist Cade Tompkins specializes in
contemporary art
Lois Harda
16
22
The Colonial Dames of America
Celebrates 125 Years
Fundraiser benefits Mount Vernon Hotel
Museum & Garden
Sharri Whiting De Masi & Sharon Vaino
19
27
British-Born Balding Brothers Compete
in America’s Golden Age of Polo
Bruce Balding
Regular Features
35
4
7
7
9
12
43
44
Weddings
Engagements
Bookmarks
Current Debutantes
Noteworthy Events
In Memoriam
Obituaries
Fourth of July
Reflections on the occasion of the nation’s
patriotic holiday
James C. Humes
37
Taking the Name in Vain
Scrapbooks of the Social Register offer a
glimpse into the fascination it has inspired
over the years
Nicholas Prychodko
14 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005
Telephone: (646) 612-7310
Fax: (646) 612-7319
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.socialregisteronline.com
The Social Register Observer is published twice a year by the Social Register Association.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.
ISBN: 0-940281-28-7
2
SOCIAL REGISTER OBSERVER • SUMMER 2015
CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: COURTESY OF THE FRIENDS OF IOLANI PALACE; ERIK GOULD; COURTESY OF III - WASHINGTON, DC;
32
Editor
Nicholas Prychodko
Art Director
Charles Sheblom
Assistant Editor
Stephanie Hadik
Consulting Editors
Philip Jones
Mary Hope Lewis
George H. McNeely IV
Director of Advertising Sales
S. Dorsey Smith
Telephone (207) 504-7230
Fax (646) 612-7319
Email: [email protected]
Honey Come Dance with Me
A sampling of country lyrics by a
prizewinning songwriter
Patricia Luce Chapman
With drawings by Krisztina Lee Botond
Top left: National Second Vice President Brantley Knowles and Kay Titus, former President
of Chapter III – Washington, DC, at a CDA Regional Meeting
Top right: King Kamehameha V of Hawai’i, reigned 1863-1872
Above: Nancy Friese, August Trees 2015, watercolor on paper, 40" x 119"
The Colonial Dames of America Celebrates 125 Years
Fundraiser Benefits Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden
by Sharri Whiting De Masi and Sharon Vaino
New Colonial Dames of America Website
22
SOCIAL REGISTER OBSERVER • SUMMER 2015
Above: The Board of Managers of The Colonial Dames of America at the
Fall Fundraiser benefitting the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden,
New York, (l-r) Beverley Young, Mary Barnes, Catherine Brawer, Beverley
Sherrid, Sharon Vaino, Brantley Knowles, Margaret Ivancevich, Kathleen
Elizabeth Springhorn, Jane Told, and M.P. Naud.
CHRISTINA KRUPKA
The Colonial Dames of America is celebrating its 125th
Anniversary in 2015. Founded in New York in May 1890 by Mrs.
John King Van Rensselaer, the CDA (or “Society”) is the oldest
women’s lineage society focusing on the Colonial period. A new
website, www.cda1890.org, was launched in January 2015 to
mark the anniversary year. The domain name ties in with the
International Newsletter of The Colonial Dames of America,
CDA1890, which was introduced in 2013.
The new site opens with the fascinating history of the CDA,
and outlines many historic preservation projects its chapters
have supported over the past 125 years—from the Non-Catholic
Cemetery in Rome, to the Hampton National Historic Site in
Towson, MD, to the Camron-Stanford House in Oakland, CA.
CDA was delighted to receive permission from Ambassador
J. William Middendorf II and his daughter, Frances Middendorf
(Chapter X – Rome, Italy) to include on its site the important
Thomas Sully portrait of the Alexander family (1851), ancestors
of the Middendorfs. Frances and her father, both visual artists,
have an annual show together. In winter 2015 their work was
exhibited at The Barn @ Downing Yudain LLC in historic
Long Ridge Village in North Stamford, CT.
Marking the Society’s 125th Anniversary
Events observing the 125th Anniversary in 2015 include the
Annual Meeting in New York in May and commemorations
by chapters in the United States and Europe. During the 2015
Heritage Week in Washington, DC, the CDA will host an
invitational National Tea at an elegant private club. Charlotte
Christian, member of the CDA Board of Managers and Chapter
XXIV—Atlanta, is chair of this event.
In honor of its founder and 125th Anniversary, the Society has
initiated three new designations for service and donor generosity.
With approval of the Society’s Board of Managers, any chapter
may designate one member per year to receive The Maria K. Van
Rensselaer Award for Distinguished Service in recognition for
service to her chapter, to the Society and to her community. The
1890 Society will recognize any contribution of at least $1890 in
any given fiscal year to the CDA and/or the Mount Vernon Hotel
Museum & Garden, which is owned and operated by the CDA. The
Chapter Honor Roll will recognize contributions to the museum
by the chapters.
President General Sharon Vaino (center) with CDA Fall Fundraiser Co-chairs
Mary Barnes (left) and Beverley Sherrid.
TOP: CHRISTINA KRUPKA; CENTER: AUDREY SVENSSON; BOTTOM: HENRY FAIR
Fall Benefit for the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden
The CDA held a Fall Benefit for the Mount Vernon Hotel
Museum & Garden, marking the 75th Anniversary of the
opening of the museum to the public, at the CDA’s Abigail
Adams Smith Auditorium in New York City. The Benefit, entitled
“The Havemeyer Legacy,” featured the notable contributions
of the Havemeyer family to the arts. Family member and
Honorary Chair Eugenie A. Havemeyer, a longtime member of
the Parent Chapter of the Society, was joined by her husband
Harry and many other family members on this social occasion.
The highlight of the evening was a fascinating lecture by Alice
Cooney Frelinghuysen, curator of American Decorative Arts
at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and a member of the
Havemeyer family. Ms. Frelinghuysen, who curated a special
exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Havemeyer
art treasures and authored the accompanying book, brought
her projected images to life for an enthusiastic audience. Both
Mrs. Havemeyer and Ms. Frelinghuysen were given distinctive
hand-painted bowls from Deruta, Italy.
President General Sharon Vaino hosted an afternoon tea at a
private club for the Event’s most generous benefactors. Supporters
of the fundraiser also included Past President General Helen Evans
(Parent Chapter) and Jacqueline Ober (Chapter I—Baltimore,
MD), who co-chair the Development Committee; Mrs. Evans also
chairs the Museum Committee. Museum Director Terri Daly and
(l-r) Linden Havemeyer Wise, Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, and Harry
Havemeyer at the Fall Fundraiser benefitting the Mount Vernon Hotel
Museum & Garden.
Ambassador J. William Middendorf II and his daughter, Frances Middendorf,
at the opening of their shared show at The Barn @ Downing Yudain LLC in
historic Long Ridge Village in North Stamford, Connecticut.
SUMMER 2015 • SOCIAL REGISTER OBSERVER
23
CDA Executive Director Allison Coliskey and their staffs were
also key to the Benefit’s success.
Continuing the practice of participation by New York City
officials in the Benefit, dynamic City Council Member Ben Kallos
attended and honored the Society with a proclamation which he
presented to President General Sharon Vaino. An exciting auction
conducted by Charity Auctioneer C. K. Swett included alluring
journeys to Italy, to Chicago, and to Newport, with proceeds
benefiting the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden.
Preview of L’Hermione in Bordeaux, France
A special preview of L’Hermione, the re-creation of the frigate
on which the Marquis de Lafayette sailed when he joined the
American Revolution, was organized in Bordeaux, France by CDA
Chapter IV – Paris, which has generously supported L’Hermione.
Chapter IV President Mary Sargent (didi) Ladd d’Anglejan and
her tireless committee organized this Fall weekend preview, which
allowed Chapter members and their guests to attend a private
breakfast and tour on board this perfect replica of the original
ship. Dames from Paris, Washington, DC, and Rome were among
the group, which also enjoyed a wine dinner at Cheval Blanc in St.
Emilion. L’Hermione sails to the United States in 2015.
Members of the Havemeyer extended family attending the Fall Fundraiser to
benefit the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden are, seated (l-r): D. Scott
Wise, Linden Havemeyer Wise, Eugenie A. Havemeyer, Antoinette Pearman;
Standing (l-r): Harry Havemeyer, Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, William E. Havemeyer, Jane Havemeyer and George Frelinghuysen.
Not pictured: Julia Thieriot.
24
SOCIAL REGISTER OBSERVER • SUMMER 2015
In early December, the Holiday Tea Dance was held at the Abigail
Adams Smith Auditorium to launch the festive season. Kathleen
Elizabeth Springhorn (Parent Chapter), Chair of the Events,
Calendar and Hospitality Committee, contributed her impeccable
elegance and style to this always anticipated annual event.
Eugenie A. Havemeyer (left) and Antoinette Pearman at the Fall Fundraiser
benefitting the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden in New York.
ALL IMAGES BY CHRISTINA KRUPKA
Harry Havemeyer and program speaker Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen at the
Fall Fundraiser benefitting the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden.
Holiday Tea Dance Held at the Abigail Adams Smith Auditorium
TOP: PIERO DE MASI ; RIGHT: CHRISTINA KRUPKA
Accomplishments During President General Sharon Vaino’s Term
of Office
President General Sharon Vaino’s term of office marked the
first time a CDA President General visited what are now a total
of 36 chapters of the Society plus the Parent Chapter, from
New York to California, Michigan to Mississippi, and Rome to
Paris to London. Other firsts accomplished during Sharon’s
administration included the establishment of a Parent Chapter
Fellowship Committee at the initiative of First Vice President
General Beverley Sherrid (Parent Chapter), who also introduced
new eligible ancestors as Chair of the Claims Committee.
The first Council of Proprietors of the Mount Vernon Hotel
Museum & Garden, allowing members of the chapters to have
a direct relationship with the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum &
Garden, was established at the initiative of Second Vice President
General Brantley Knowles (Chapter XVII—Palm Beach, FL).
As Chair of the Liaison Committee, Mrs. Knowles organized
popular and informative Regional Meetings around the United
States, and anticipates such a meeting in Europe.
Other accomplishments during Sharon’s term of office include
the development of an electronic newsletter, CDA1890, edited by
Communications Chair Sharri Whiting De Masi (Chapter X –
Rome, Italy); and the development and launch of a new website,
with project management and research by Sharri Whiting De
Masi and Beverley Sherrid. The Mount Vernon Hotel Museum &
At a private CDA breakfast aboard L’Hermione in Bordeaux, France, (l-r),
Chapter IV—Paris President Mary Sargent (didi) Ladd d’Anglejan; Laura
Belman of Chapter III—Washington DC; Sabette de Lyrot, Chapter IV—Paris;
Eugenie Angles, Chapter IV—Paris; and Sharri Whiting De Masi, Chapter X
– Rome, Italy.
(l-r) The Rev. Gerald E. Murray, who purchased the first auction item, Alice
Cooney Frelinghuysen, Jaan Vaino, Sharon Vaino, Mary Barnes, and Kathleen
Elizabeth Springhorn at the Fall Fundraiser in New York.
SUMMER 2015 • SOCIAL REGISTER OBSERVER
25
For more information on The Colonial Dames of America,
please visit the CDA’s website at www.cda1890.org.
•
The Abigail Adams Smith Auditorium and the offices
of The Colonial Dames of America are at 417 East 61st
Street, New York, NY 10065, Tel.: (212) 838-5489. The
venue is available for private and corporate events,
including receptions and dinners.
•
The Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden is at
421 East 61st Street, New York, NY 10065
Tel.: (212) 838-6878. Rentals are available consistent
with the property’s historic status. The Mount Vernon
Hotel Museum & Garden’s website is www.mvhm.org.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Eugenie
A. Havemeyer, Honorary Benefit Chair; Beverley Sherrid, CDA
First Vice President and Benefit Co-chair; Brantley Knowles,
CDA Second Vice President; Mary R. Barnes, CDA Board of
Managers and Benefit Co-chair; and Terri Daly, Mount Vernon
Hotel Museum & Garden Director.
President General Sharon Vaino receives a Proclamation honoring the CDA
from New York City Council Member Ben Kallos at the Fall Fundraiser benefitting the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden.
26
SOCIAL REGISTER OBSERVER • SUMMER 2015
Sharon Worthing Vaino is an attorney and is President
General of The Colonial Dames of America, based in New York,
NY, where she lives with her husband Jaan, retired from the
broadcasting industry. She has visited all 37 chapters (including the Parent Chapter) of The Colonial Dames of America,
from Rome, Italy, to San Francisco, CA, and oversaw the recent
re-accreditation of the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden and the establishment of eight new CDA committees. Sharon also serves as a board and committee member for other
not-for-profit organizations.
Sharri Whiting De Masi is a writer/speaker (travel, food/wine,
culture) and olive farmer in Umbria, Italy, where she lives
with her husband, Piero De Masi, an author and retired diplomat; she is President, CDA Chapter X—Rome, Italy, as well as
Proprietor—Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden (for
Chapter X) and Chair of the CDA Communications Committee. Sharri and Piero spend winters in Fairhope, AL, where they
support the Mobile Ballet and World Affairs Roundtable.
CHRISTINA KRUPKA
Garden was re-accredited by the American Alliance of Museums,
one of a small percentage of museums in the country to achieve
this designation. Energetic new Museum Director Terri Daly,
whose experience with the Museum began in 2003, has vigorously
taken on the challenges of preserving the eighth-oldest building
in Manhattan and interpreting it to today’s generation. An
additional eight CDA committees were established to provide
an increased depth of information, services and support to the
chapters and membership.
Long-established programs, such as those of the Book Award
Committee, chaired by Past President General Audrey Svensson
(Parent Chapter), and the Education and Scholarship Committee,
chaired by Anne Farley (Parent Chapter), as well as the President’s
Award for Excellence, continue to be important activities of
the Society.
As The Colonial Dames of America begins its second 125 years,
we look forward to illuminating the path of the future with the
light of history.
About the Authors