Robert deMaine, Principal Cello of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, at Millford.

Classical American Homes Preservation Trust and the Friends of Millford presented our third annual Music at Millford on Sunday, September 21. Over 150 friends joined us on this beautiful, late-summer day in Pinewood, South Carolina. Guests enjoyed exploring the gardens and grounds, taking a look inside private rooms not usually open during public tours, and sipping on a cool drink on Millford's porches. A few friends even brought along a picnic - a perfect way to experience the splendor of this historic landmark. Millford looked magnificent, even with concert seating in place of the suite of Duncan Phyfe furniture that usually graces the Double Parlor!

The concert - an energetic and moving performance by Robert deMaine, Principal Cello of the L.A. Philharmonic, and pianist James Wilhelmsen - was simply outstanding in delivering a program of Debussy, Beethoven, Vaughan Williams, and Brahms. The audience was enthralled. Click here to see a video of Robert deMaine and James Wilhelmsen in concert at Millford, playing Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Six Studies in English Folksong".  

Music at Millford has been quite a success and has more than tripled in size since our inaugural concert in 2011, which featured the piano duo of Marina Lomazov and Joseph Rackers. Tickets sold out a few weeks prior to the event this year, so we were saddened to have had to turn guests away. We hope all will be able to join us at next year -- it was suggested we might have to add a music wing to Millford! Below is a selection of photographs -- more can be found on our Facebook Page (click here). 

Robert deMaine and his 300 year old cello.

The gardens at Millford.

A picturesque Sunday afternoon.

The poster for Music at Millford.

Friends of Millford and music enthusiasts.

Dick Jenrette, Buddy Jenrette, Jack Simmons, Courtenay Daniels.

Sharon Brown, Tom Cox, Freddy and Hornor Davis, Priscilla Jordan.

Dick Jenrette and Lou Hammond.

Ginny Bush, John and Marie Land.

Bill Crowther, Site Supervisor of Ayr Mount, and Louie Hall, Site Supervisor of Millford.

The Dining Room at Millford.

Unique plates for a unique place.

The Double Parlors at Millford prior to the concert.

Sponsors and Benefactors at Music at Millford.

Christina Clark at Millford.

We would like to express a heartfelt "thank you" to all of our Benefit Committee members for their efforts and support in making Music at Millford a success this year. A special acknowledgement to Christina Clark (at left), who meticulously guided and nurtured this program into the wonderful event it is today, is also in order. As one of our guests wrote us, "The weather, the architecture, the music, the friendship -- everything was just perfect!"  We were pleased to see many old friends and to welcome many new friends to Millford. We hope you all had as much fun as we did!

Earnest Townsend, site supervisor at Roper House.

Earnie giving a tour of the Roper House.

Earnie's role has expanded over the years, and he now operates as a "one man army" at Roper House, in charge of everything from keeping up the impeccable gardens and lawn surrounding the house, to the constant painting, roof repair, and maintenance required by the house's close proximity to Charleston's East Battery.  

Earnie points out that the house is built on marshland, and cites rising water as his greatest nemesis over the years. This was never the case more so than when Hurricane Hugo unleashed its wrath on the city of Charleston in 1989, only weeks before Prince Charles was scheduled to stay at Roper House while in town for a conference. Earnie had shrewdly moved all of the furniture and artwork upstairs from the first floor before the storm hit, and rode out the storm at the property along with Mr. Jenrette's mother and her staff of nurses (Mrs. Jenrette had moved into Roper house shortly after turning age 90 and lived there until her passing at age 101). Earnie watched out for Mrs. Jenrette and Roper House through the storm, although the first floor of the house was inundated with five feet of water from Hugo. Earnie quickly took up the enormous task (often working around-the-clock) of coordinating the rewiring and repainting of the entire first floor, and replanting of all the adjoining gardens. Everything was in tip-top shape just in time for His Royal Highness' arrival, and the visit went splendidly.

In addition to keeping the house and grounds in pristine condition, Earnie is also the official tour guide at Roper House, greeting the thousands of visitors who come to Roper House each year for tour groups and special events. Earnie's comprehensive knowledge of the house's history, coupled with his charisma and knack for storytelling, make for a fun and enriching Roper House experience. He says his favorite part of the job is having the chance to meet and interact with so many different people from different places, and he loves seeing how much people enjoy visiting the property. Earnie lives just outside of Charleston in West Ashley, S.C., and while he reminds us that his job is a 24-hour-a-day responsibility, he does enjoy spending time with his family, working around his own house, gardening, and golfing when he has spare time. If you haven't had the pleasure of visiting Roper House and meeting Earnie, schedule a tour in Charleston soon!

Many are asking the same question - where did the summer go and how did we find ourselves in October?! The unusually mild weather was a bonus for people visiting our houses and gardens, which boasted wonderful foliage and fabulous blooms at each of the six locations. The quieter summer months (compared to the spring tour season) allowed the site supervisors to catch their breaths and gear up for fall tours. Here are some highlights:

At Millford, we continued to have a good response to the Open Public Saturdays, which were well attended during the months of July, August and September. These tours provide a wonderful opportunity to visit for individuals who may not be able to schedule a group tour. Moreover, as these Saturdays tours are geared for individuals, guests can take their time enjoying the grounds and perhaps a picnic lunch after their tour and before moving on to their next destination.

Ayr Mount was quite busy in September with a dinner for the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (see Ayr Mount section above) and a tour and brunch for Preservation North Carolina's Orange County Ramble gathering in Hillsborough. Later in September, Ayr Mount also hosted the Mosely and Bowman nuptials and reception, as well as a dinner for the UNC Richard H. Jenrette Scholars and Dean of the Kenan-Flagler Business School. 

At Edgewater, Mr. Jenrette was able to greet members of Historic Deerfield during a visit just after Labor Day, as well as members of the Allyn's Creek Garden Club of Rochester, NY, who were received mid-month. We so enjoy welcoming garden clubs to our properties for group tours! Members of the Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton and the James River Garden Club of Virginia also recently visited the Roper House.

Dick Jenrette giving a tour of Edgewater to the Historic Deerfield group (picture at right and below).

The Red Room at Edgewater.

Touring the gardens and grounds at Edgewater.

Relaxing on the lawn, facing the Hudson River.

The guest house: facing the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains.

The Octagon Library at Edgewater with the Allyn's Creek Garden Club (pictured at right and left).

Outside the east side façade of Edgewater.

Earnie Townsend giving a tour of the Roper House to members of the Tuckahoe Garden Club and the James River Garden Club.

The Tuckahoe Garden Club and the James River Garden Club.

In October, we are looking forward to participating in the Preservation Society of Charleston's fall tour at the Roper House, as well as greeting members from the Society of the High Hills of the Santee and the Garden Club of Charleston at Millford Plantation. Later in the month, we are excited to have members of the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum for a visit at Edgewater.

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