OUT: Air kisses. IN: Hugs. This is the trend statement from the 22nd Annual Tudor Place Garden Party fundraiser…

Niente was delighted to receive a handsome oil of Tudor Place painted by Trustee Andy Williams.

From the receiving line on into the grand party tent and out on the freshly “watered” (by rain!) South Lawn, Honoree Niente Ingersoll Smith set the tone. She and her kin — including daughter Liz Dougherty as a Party Co-Chair — embraced throngs of friends, relations, and supporters as they arrived to celebrate Niente and the museum for which she has done so much. The 500-strong crowd and generous corporate sponsors enabled the party to surpass by some $20,000 its fundamental mission of raising $250,000 for the Tudor Place Annual Fund.

Co-chairing with Liz were the tireless and stylish Page Evans and Colman Rackley Riddell, who served also presided over the beautiful 2013 Garden Party. Trustee President Timothy Matz, ending his term as board president, helped anchor the receiving line, along with Executive Director Leslie Buhler. Council Member Jack Evans joined dignitaries on the dais and praised Tudor Place for its contributions to education and well-being in our city.

Also announced from the dais was news of a coveted prize, the 2014 Ross Merrill Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Preservation and Care of Collections, recognizing  Tudor Place’s consistent and systematic work over decades to preserve and care for the historic and cultural assets belonging to the National Historic Landmark. The award, which will be formally presented June 18, 2014, seemed a fitting announcement to accompany the celebration of Niente as a longtime supporter of preservation.