On Friday, November 27,
2009 The East Hampton Historical Society under the
superb coordination of Richard Barons, Executive
Director, and Claire Watson, Executive
Assistant, held its Annual Holiday Fundraising
Event. The party was held at "Hertenhof" (Deer
Court) in "The Grace Estate" area of East
Hampton.
"Hertenhof" is the country home of interior
designers, Peter van Hattum and Harold Simmons and
is on a 6 acre site. It is a grand Georgian
Style residence, (5,000 sq. ft.) with a 2 story
entrance hall filled with deer heads with antlers.
The large living room has a black grand piano and a
fireplace. There is a comfortable dining room
with an adjoining large library and fireplace.
The interior is a glorious amalgam of Dutch, English
and French antiques. Peter and Harold acted as
the architects, interior designers, as well as
landscape designers combined.
The party was sponsored by Tiffany and Co., and Joan
Worth, Sales Executive from the East Hampton store,
spoke of the important work of EHHS in collecting,
preserving and presenting the various archives of
the town which dates back to Mulford Farm 1680.
The party was attended by over 300 guests, including
South Fork builder, Richard Novak, who has built
homes for actor, Ben Gazzara and the owners of
Gurney's Inn; he was accompanied by associate
builder, Steven Curran, Chip Rae, Robert Osborne,
Barbara Borsack, Robert Plancher, Maureen Bluedorn,
Hollis Forbes, William Fleming, Frank Newbold, and
Marcella Wainswright Sohm to name just a few.
The EHHS is known for their party events and I
remember one
from a few years ago held at the legendary "GREY
GARDENS"
(Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn, owners, bought the
estate and restored it with great care). The
party was hosted by long time resident Frances
Hayward and was attended by Lois Wright, who in the
1970's lived at "GREY GARDENS" with "Big Edie"
Bouvier Beale and her daughter, "Little Edie" , 30
cats and the raccoons. Lois is in the Maysles
Brothers "GREY GARDENS" documentary of 1976 which
has become a 3 Tony Winning Musical and in 2009 a 6
Emmy winning HBO movie starring Jessica Lang and
Drew Barrymore. Lois is also an author,
painter, and local talk show host for over 20 years
(The Lois Wright Show).
The parties organized by EHHS are always memories to
be
treasured and profound souvenirs of life in the Hamptons.
For more information about The East Hampton
Historical Society please visit:
www.easthamptonhistory.org
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