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The keyboard from the newly conserved Broadwood Pianoforte, circa 1797,
that belonged to the Kirkland family at Ayr Mount.
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In light of the recent flooding and devastation in South Carolina and the surrounding areas, we send our heartfelt condolences to our friends, supporters, and all those who have been affected. We appreciate the many emails of concern for our houses and are thankful to report that both Millford, in Pinewood, and Roper House, in Charleston, fared well through the storm. Louis Hall, site supervisor at Millford, said they lost only a few trees; and Earnie Townsend, site supervisor at Roper House, had to pump out excess water from the garden, but both houses escaped without major harm.
We understand that the recovery process may be long for some and we are keeping you all in our thoughts.
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Phyfe Unveiled: Two Bedrooms with Original Furniture
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| | Newly installed second floor bedroom at Millford. |
Recently Installed at Millford
By Peter Kenny
Millford, one of the great Greek revival houses in America, is renowned for its spectacular giant order colonnade, pure geometric massing, and look of stately classical repose on the sand hills of Clarendon County, South Carolina. It is also justifiably famous for its superbly proportioned and beautifully furnished ground floor interiors. Over the years, Millford has welcomed thousands of visitors to tour its ground floor rooms - the commodious central hall, magnificent double parlor, apse-ended dining room, and handsome, bookcase-lined library. After completing this ground floor circuit they are ushered into the staircase rotunda at the rear of the hall where they can marvel at the spectacular spiral staircase, lit from above by an oculus painted in jewel-like colors and looking every bit like a miniature rose window from a Gothic cathedral. The staircase beckons, but unfortunately this is where the tour ends. At least that was until September 13, on the occasion of our fourth annual Music at Millford benefit concert when two newly installed bedrooms were officially opened for special tours of the second floor. Read more. |
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| | Encore! Amy Schwartz Moretti and Robert deMaine at the fourth Music at Millford. |
Music at Millford
Sunday, September 13, 2015
We are grateful to have seen many of you at our fourth annual Music at Millford, on September 13, which proved once again to be a great success. The concert was attended by 115 guests - essentially, a full house - with many returning friends and many new ones as well. Everyone enjoyed Millford's historic setting and the talents of three virtuoso musicians. The weather was perfect, unseasonably mild, and was a great complement to the picnic lunch. Another new feature of the event this year was a special lecture by CAHPT Co-President, Peter Kenny, entitled "Phyfe Unveiled: A New Look at the Bedroom Furniture at Millford." Peter gave a tour of two newly installed bedrooms on the second floor with Duncan Phyfe furniture original to the house, followed by a lecture detailing the history of the furniture, their designs and uses.
Amy Schwartz Moretti, Violin Chair and Director of Mercer's McDuffie Center for Strings, made her debut at Millford this year, playing with Robert deMaine, Principal Cello of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and James Wilhelmsen, pianist, who were back for their second appearance after last year's impressive concert. The performance this year was also extraordinary - with Amy on violin bringing a real dynamism to the returning duo - starting with Josef Haydn's Gypsy Rondo trio, an audience favorite. It was followed by the rarely heard Zoltán Kodály Duo for Violin and Cello with Amy and Robert, and ended with the glorious Piano Trio No. 1 in B major, Op. 8 by Johannes Brahms. For an encore, the trio chose the enchanting strains of Claude Debussy's Beau Soir. We thank Amy, Robert, and Jim for the opportunity to hear them play at such a unique venue.
We are so thankful to all who have contributed to the success of Music at Millford over the past four years and who have inspired us to consider future events and programs at Millford. We are especially thankful to Christina Clark, who has been instrumental (pun intended!) in planning this event since its inception in 2011. We also owe countless thanks to the members of our dedicated Benefit Committee, who have been invaluably supportive in drawing attention to this event, and Millford in general. We deeply missed those of you who could not make it, and appreciate all of you who made the trip for this exciting day.
Click here to see an excerpt of the trio's performance of Brahms and Hayden.
See our Facebook Page for more photos from Music at Millford, and the newly installed Duncan Phyfe furniture in the second floor bedrooms. |
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| | Keiko Sekino at the pianoforte and Andrea Edith Moore performing at Ayr Mount in the West Parlor. |
Broadwood Ayr
Saturday, September 19, 2015
When the Kirkland family resided at Ayr Mount in the mid-19th century, their 1797 Broadwood Grand pianoforte was at the center of family gatherings, filling the West Parlor with music that would float throughout the house. On September 19th, Keiko Sekino and Andrea Edith Moore, along with the original Kirkland pianoforte, once again brought music to Ayr Mount's West Parlor, furnished with beautiful early 19th century classical furniture, sculpture and paintings. Additionally, the 1797 pianoforte, similar to the one used by Beethoven, was recently restored for this concert.
Opening with Sonata in A minor, K. 310 (i. Allegro maestoso), Keiko Sekino began with her deft handling of Mozart's emotional work. This opening piano solo set a high mark that continued for the remainder of the program. In the second set, Ms. Sekino was joined by soprano, Andrea Edith Moore, for a selection of Franz Schubert that took the audience on a journey through time and place, and beautifully evoked a sense of romance. Read more.
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| (L to R) Peter Kenny, CAHPT Co-President; Peter Pennoyer, architect and special guest;
Margize Howell, CAHPT Co-President; and Peter Lyden, ICAA President. Photo © Presley Ann / PatrickMcMullan.com
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Autumn Cocktail Party
George F. Baker Houses, NYC
Institute of Classical Architecture & Art and Classical American Homes
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Classical American Homes Preservation Trust (CAHPT) and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) came together to welcome 70 friends and patrons to the George F. Baker Houses in New York City. Both organizations are centered on the study and continuation of the classical tradition. The evening's highlights included a brief talk by Peter Pennoyer, Principal at Peter Pennoyer Architects, who spoke about the history of the George F. Baker houses and the architecture firm Delano & Aldrich, who designed this neo-Federal classical complex.
This past summer, ICAA students from their Summer Studio class visited Edgewater - a great way for a close-up study that included detailed discussions on the architecture and sketching all aspects of the house and grounds (see below). The ICAA members also visited Roper House recently and were intrepid visitors despite the flooding taking place in Charleston.
CAHPT looks forward to working together with ICAA on future programs and events.
Click here for more information about the Institute for Classical Architecture & Art. |
 The American Friends of the Georgian Group presents the 7th Annual
Preservation Award to CAHPT
Classical American Homes Preservation Trust (CAHPT) is honored to be this year's recipient of the Annual Preservation Award, presented by The American Friends of the Georgian Group. This award recognizes the individuals and organizations that contribute to the preservation of buildings, parks and streetscapes, particularly in New York City (but not limited to). Ralph Harvard introduced the historic preservation work of Dick Jenrette and CAHPT to the Georgian Group. John Kinnear, AFGG President, presented an elegantly framed print of Fitzroy Square (see right) to CAHPT Co-Presidents Margize Howell and Peter Kenny who made a joint statement: "We, at Classical American Homes, are honored to be recognized by The American Friends of the Georgian Group for our historic preservation efforts and especially so to be in the lofty circle of previous recipients."
The reception, held on September 9th, took place on the roof of the Arsenal in Central Park - against the backdrop of the cityscape on a beautiful early autumn evening. The first recipient of this award was Christopher Gray, the New York Times columnist and principal of the Office for Metropolitan History. Subsequent awardees include: The Prince's Regeneration Trust, Prince Charles' charity founded to restore internationally important buildings that are at risk; Andrew Blum, Chairman of Hyde Hall Foundation in Cooperstown, NY; and John Foreman, historian, author, and writer of the weekly blog "Big Old Houses" published on the New York Social Diary's website (please see below, under PRESS, Mr. Foreman's recent coverage of Edgewater - Dick Jenrette's historic house on the Hudson River).
Click here for more information about The American Friends of the Georgian Group.
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| | Dick Jenrette, Chairman of CAHPT and Margize Howell, Co-President at Ayr Mount's 200th Anniversary Dinner in May 2015. |
Profile: Margize Howell
Margize Howell, Co-President of Classical American Homes, will be the focus of this Newsletter's Profile. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Margize credits her appreciation for the arts at a young age to her parents, who have a love for history, art and architecture. She pursued this interest at the Westminster Schools in Atlanta and then earned a B.A. from the University of Virginia with distinction in Art History. Margize says she had an "a-ha" moment during her first Art History class; she knew then she had found her calling. She further broadened her education in the arts at the Sotheby's Art Institute in London, The Attingham Summer School, and the Winter Institute at The Winterthur Museum.
Margize began working at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette in 1984 as Curator, where she oversaw the firm's acclaimed collection of early 19th century Americana -- antique furniture, paintings, and manuscripts. The DLJ Collection grew and thrived under Margize's stewardship until DLJ was sold to Credit Suisse in 2001, at which time she joined Dick Jenrette at Classical American Homes. Margize has been with CAHPT since that time, serving as Curator, Director of Development, and Executive Director, before being named Co-President (along with Peter Kenny) in 2014. Read more. |
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| | Come join us for Scottish music and dancing at Ayr Mount! |
Upcoming: Cèilidh at Ayr
Bicentennial public event
Saturday, October 24, 2015
The Cèilidh at Ayr will be held on Saturday, October 24th. There will be music and dancing to make your heart sing and your kilt swing! Bagpipes, fiddles, drums, Scottish jigs, reels and lovely strathspeys will make the property come alive. Whether you are an experienced cèilidh dancer or hoping to learn - you will feel right at home. A caller will guide everyone through the lively steps.
Entertainment will be provided by Belles on Strings, Pete Campbell and the MacRowdie Cèilidh Band, and the Wake and District Pipes and Drums.
The event will also feature a play area for the wee bairns plus food trucks serving local favorites and craft beer. Bring a chair or blanket and relax on the spacious lawn or enjoy a stroll along the Eno River.
Ayr Mount's bicentennial theme "Ceud mìle fàilte," which is Scots Gaelic meaning "a hundred thousand welcomes" will be apparent at the Cèilidh. We hope to see you there!
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TOURS
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| | Historic Deerfield members at the Roper House in Charleston. |
New York to South Carolina
"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile." - William Cullen Bryant
Autumn came quickly and a first unseasonable Nor'easter brought cold, wet weather and the beginning of the falling autumn leaves. Despite occasional inclement weather, all the sites have continued to welcome numerous groups and even some repeat visitors. As always, we are so grateful to all who have made the trip to our historic properties.
In September, we welcomed guests from the Newark Museum to Edgewater, Historic Deerfield to both Millford and the Roper House, the Art Institute of Chicago to Edgewater, and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art to Roper House.
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Earnie Townsend (left), site supervisor of Roper House, with William Allman (right), Curator of the White House, visiting during this year's Charleston Heritage Symposium.
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As we enter the fourth quarter of the year, we are looking forward to welcoming the following groups: the Historic Charleston Foundation, the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, the Sumter County Museum, Emmanuel Baptist Church, the Preservation Society of Charleston, the Olana Partnership, students from Clemson University, ladies from Yeamans Hall Club, members of The Congaree Land Trust for their Friend Raising event, and the American Friends of the Georgian Group. As of now, we are once again wrapping up our tour and events calendar with the Georgians, who are holding their Holiday reception at the Baker House. And then, before we know it, it will be 2016!
Speaking of 2016, next year's calendar is already starting to fill up, and we are once again planning for the mid-January kick-off of our tour season in New York City during Americana Week. As your group begins to plan your next adventure, please keep all our wonderful sites in mind - we would look forward to welcoming you and your guests, again and again!
To book a tour at one of our six historic houses, click here. |
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| | Summer Studio program students and instructors with Dick Jenrette (front center) at Edgewater on the Hudson. |
STUDY ICAA Students at Edgewater July 2015
Students and instructors from this year's Summer Studio program in classical architecture, an intensive four-week course offered by ICAA, came as a class to visit Edgewater - Mr. Jenrette's home on the Hudson River.
The course introduces students to skills, knowledge and resources essential to the practice and appreciation of classical design. Special classes and lectures include: architecture design and composition, the elements of the classical language, drawing and rendering, as well as study in traditional materials.
It was a delight to see artists, architects, design students and artisans exploring Edgewater's building and landscape, while stopping to make a sketch or drawing along the way!
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 PRESS The "Earthly Bliss" of Edgewater NY Social Diary
This past June, Edgewater was the focus of a feature by John Foreman, the writer behind the blog "Big Old Houses" for New York Social Diary.
Mr. Foreman's weekly articles on architecture and social history are replete with new and historic images of the houses and landscapes - a visual and in-depth walk through time.
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