Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Holiday Party & Annual General Meeting
Central Park Arsenal, 830 Fifth Avenue at East 64^th Street

As 2024 comes to an end let us all gather to celebrate and welcome 2025. December 4th we will have our Holiday Party at the Arsenal in Central Park at Fifth Avenue and 64th Street. Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m.

We will hint at upcoming events for 2025 and mention highlights from 2024 which many of you I'm sure have fond memories of—the Winter Show's luncheon, Phillip Dodd's wonderful book talk, Wolf Burchard's tour of the British Galleries at the Met, our day trips to western Connecticut, Woodlawn Cemetery and Wave Hill, Polo at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, the garden party with The Colonial Dames and The American-Scottish Foundation, and the re-introduction of our Georgian salons. Light refreshments and libations will be served.

One of two buildings within Central Park that predates the Park itself, the Arsenal was built between 1847 and 1851 as a weapons supply depot for New York State's National Guard. Over the years, it's had a number of uses, including a police precinct, a weather bureau, and the first Museum of Natural History. In the lobby, 1930s Works Progress Administration murals depict 19th-century Central Park and soldiers in formation. The Arsenal was designated an official New York City landmark in 1967. Today, it's home to the headquarters of NYC Parks and the Central Park Zoo. It's also home to the Arsenal Gallery, where several fine art and photography exhibitions are mounted each year.

Tickets:
$100 AFGG Members
$75 Young Georgians

 
POSTPONED TO MAY 2025
Day Trip to Pelham Bay Park and Environs

The first stop will be the Valentine-Varian Georgian-style house, which is the Bronx County Historical Society's museum. The curator will share the early history of the house and surrounding area.

Next we visit a private house in Pelham Manor known as 'Pelhamdale', the house of Philip Pell II built of stone in 1750. The current owners will tell us of their experiences restoring this historic home, and what they have learned about the Pell family.

The incredible Bartow-Pell Mansion will be next. A luncheon will be served followed by a tour of the home and exquisite gardens and carriage house. Bartow-Pell has one of the most extensive collections of Duncan Phyfe furniture in the country. The mansion was the first home of the International Garden Club which funded the original restoration by Delano & Aldrich Architects, who also designed the formal gardens.