EVENT: A lecture & another tour from the VSA
LECTURE: Tuesday, December 12, 6 p.m.,
Donnell Library Auditorium, 20W. 53rd St., New York City
The Cooper Union Building and Architectural Terra Cotta in the 1850s
Jay Shockley, staff member, Research Department, New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, and Susan Tunick, president, Friends of Terra Cotta
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City was constructed in 1853-58 for industrialist Peter Cooper to the design of Prussian-born architect Frederick A. Petersen. Surviving architectural terra cotta in the building marks the singular importance of this material in the first phase of its American manufacture in New York in the 1850s, decades before its widespread use.
Admission is FREE; no reservations required
HOLIDAY TOUR REPEATED ON JANUARY 6
Because we had to disappoint so many people who wanted to go on our December 16 Holiday Tour, we are repeating the tour on Saturday, January 6. The January tour will follow exactly the same itinerary as that planned for December 16, and the luncheon menu will be the same. We have verified that holiday decorations will still be in place in the historic houses. So, if you were unable to go on the December tour, here’s your chance to enjoy this festive occasion.
Holiday tour: Lighting Twelfth night
Saturday, January 6, 8:45 a.m.
All-day bus tour on the last day of Christmas features:
Glenmont: Thomas A. Edison, who electrified Christmas tree lighting, lived in this Queen Anne mansion with his second wife, Mina, from 1886 until his death in 1931. Built in 1880 with more than 20 rooms, the mansion is in Lewellyn Park in West Orange, NJ, the first planned gated community in this country. The Edisons’ furnishings remain in the mansion.
Edison Greenhouse: In this glass structure, built 1906-08, some of the Edisons’ specimens survive. Distinct areas include the Palm Room, Rose Room and Fig Room. (Mrs. Edison insisted on figs with her breakfast cereal.)
Luncheon in a private dining room at Pals Cabin, a venerable West Orange restaurant.
Grover Cleveland Birthplace: In 1837, the future president spent the first Christmas of the Victorian era—and his life—in this Presbyterian Manse in Caldwell. Later in the 19th century, the frame building was enlarged several times but today’s décor of principal rooms reflects decidedly middle class tastes of 1837.
Lambert Castle: Catholina and Isabella Lambert celebrated completion of their Paterson mansion with a party for 400 in January 1893. Modeled on Warwick Castle, it exemplified the height to which the self-made silk manufacturer had risen since immigrating from England at age 17. Today its period rooms are furnished as they would have been in the late 19th century.
Holiday Reception in Grand Atrium of Lambert Castle.
Fee for Members: $85 ~ Fee for Nonmembers: $95
Tour Limited to a Minimum of 35 Participants and a Maximum of 47
Meet outside Plaza Hotel, 59th Street & Fifth Avenue at 8:45 a.m.
RESERVATIONS: Clip and mail form below with check payable to Metropolitan Chapter VSA to be received by December 20 to:
Tours, Metropolitan Chapter VSA, P.O. Box 1629, NY, NY 10028.
Cancellations must be sent in writing to the above address by December 20 to be eligible for refunds.
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Please reserve ____ places for me on the Holiday Tour
on Saturday, January 6, at 8:45 a.m.
Name(s):
Telephone:
Address:
Luncheon entrée choice:
__ Beef pot roast with latkes
__ Lemon sole
__ Fresh roasted turkey
My e-mail address is:
Number of members @ $85_______
Number of nonmembers @ $95_______
TOTAL ENCLOSED $________