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On Friday, July 17, 2026, French
Heritage Society (FHS) welcomed nearly
240 guests to its fourth annual Summer
Soirée at the Bridgehampton, NY, home
of Maria and Kenneth Fishel. Inspired by
the elegance of Provence in Summer, the
evening brought together
philanthropists, preservationists, and
friends of France in support of FHS’s
mission to preserve French architectural
and cultural heritage. The evening was
the most successful Summer Soirée,
raising significant funds to support
French Heritage Society's restoration
grants, student internships, and
educational programming. A portion of
the proceeds will also benefit FHS’s New
York Chapter, supporting three
preservation grants in 2026: Lyndhurst
in Tarrytown, and Villa Albertine and
St. Bartholomew's Church in
New York City.
The unforgettable soirée was chaired by
CeCe Black, Maria Fishel, Rosann Gutman,
and Ann Van Ness. Esteemed guests
included FHS Trustees Jennifer Farrell,
Kenneth Hausman, Brenda Howard, and Jean
Shafiroff, as well as Benefactor
supporters Patricia Cossutta Arostegui
and Puly Rincon, Elena Ayot, Nelly Azar
Lumia, Elizabeth Belfer, Bettina
Bennett, Lee Black, Melanie Boude, Dr.
Garry and Cindy Boxer, Geoffrey Brooke
and Margaret Kurtz, Gale Brophy, Sharon
Bush and Bob Murray, Yann Coatanlem and
James G. Brooks, Laura Codman and John
Terwilliger, Bonnie Comley and Stewart
F. Lane, Francine Crocker, Noreen
Donovan, Ella Dunphy, Galina Fendikevich,
Kenneth Fishel, Rodrigo Gamboa, Lucia
Hwong Gordon, Nurit Kahane Haase,
Michele Heary, Catherine and Kenneth
Higgins, Bruce Horten, James D. Howard,
Franklin Lane, Leonard Lane, Marcela
Margo Moore, Janice and Thomas Pecora,
Brandon Pena, Julissa Perez, Kathy
Prounis, Michael Gregson Reinert-Sessions,
Leesa Rowland and Larry Wohl, Renata
Sanfilippo, Martin Shafiroff, Elizabeth
Steimberg and David Weiner, Lauren
Summa, Amanda Taylor, Bill Van Ness,
Suzie and Pierre Villere, and Carole
Bellidora Westfall and David Hayes.
Additional guests included: Jacques
Acoca and Ruth Miller, Chris Arlotta,
Candace Bushnell, Talia Carner,
Alexandra and Bradley Fishel, Veronique
Gabai, Sylvia Hemingway, Laya Indukuri
and Aravind Srinivasan, Becky Bayless
and Frédéric de Joybert, Cheri
Kaufman, Suzan Kremer, Karen Murray,
Christine Miller Martin, Aryan Nair and
Solome Sommer, Alberto Mariaca, Pamela
Morgan, Lauren and Bob Roberts, Paula
and Robert Smalley, Stephanie Smart,
Alexandra Staton, Julie Wald, Andrea
Wernick, Preston Wilson, Josette
Winograd, and Pamela Wright.
Guests were welcomed by Maria and
Kenneth Fishel, CeCe Black, Rosann
Gutman, Ann Van Ness, and FHS Executive
Director Jennifer Herlein. With record
attendance and fundraising, this year's
Summer Soirée reflected French Heritage
Society's growing momentum and expanding
community of supporters.Generous support
was provided by Champagne EPC, Veronique
Gabai, Maison Gabrielle, Société de la
Rassi, and JOG Editions, with art on the
table by Christofle, Baccarat and SFERRA.
Revel Rouge founder Hank Stampfl created
the evening’s distinctive Provençal
ambiance, while French- American
vocalist Quentin Bruno, featured on The
Voice: La plus belle voix, joined by
Danny Lipsitz & The Brass Tacks, brought
guests to the dance floor.
Upcoming FHS events include:
Ambassador’s Circle trip to Provence
September 15-20, New York Gala Dinner
Dance on November 11, Palm Beach Gala on
February 21, 2027, Palm Beach Luncheon
on April 19, and the 45th Anniversary
Gala in Paris on October 8, 2027.
About French Heritage Society
Founded in 1982, French Heritage Society
is dedicated to preserving French
architectural and cultural heritage and
fostering the historic friendship
between France and the United States.
Over the past 44 years, FHS has awarded
over $16.5M to more than 710 restoration
and cultural grants to properties
throughout France and in the United
States. FHS has also selected and
supported nearly 600 university students
who have crossed the Atlantic for
internships at esteemed institutions.
FHS has 12 chapters, 11 in the U.S. and
one in Paris, and membership includes
access to all.
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