A spectacular evening unfolded at the ninth annual summer party to benefit the Thomas Cole Historic Site in Catskill. Over 300 supporters gathered for an early Independence Day on June 30th at the home of board chairman Lisa Fox Martin and Dick May, and over $95,000 was raised for the National Historic Landmark that was the home of the founder of the Hudson River School of art. This represents a whopping 14% increase in funds raised compared to last year’s party. Guests referred to the event as the best party of the year.

The evening began with poolside cocktails at the Fox Martin/May residence and guests were offered an Independence Cocktail donated by Domaney’s Liquors of Great Barrington, MA. Guests had the fun of being photographed within huge frames of different sizes and shapes that were painted to look like 19th-century frames and that matched the invitation itself, created and donated by Geoff Howell, the award-winning designer who has created events and decorations for clients that include the Whitney Museum of American Art and Tiffany’s. Party-goers then drifted down the great lawn to a seated dinner under pristine white tents surrounded by bold red, white, and blue American flags. Guests danced to the sounds of Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers, and 400 pots of flowers were lent to the event at no charge by Story Farms. Dinner and hors d’oeuvres were created by Rent-A-Chef Catering, and the fantastic fireworks display was by Ain’t Misbehavin’.

The party was an especially successful this year due in large part to a thrilling auction of vacations in  the Provence region of France, a sultan palace in Turkey, and a harbor-side house in Maine. Celebrity auctioneer C.K. Swett piloted the spirited bidding to its successful conclusion. Swett, who donated his time for the Thomas Cole event, works at Phillips de Pury’s auction house by day and often makes the rounds of New York City’s charity auctions by night, bringing his flash, charm, rapid-fire patter, and youthful enthusiasm to raise money for good causes. The auction items were donated by Asli & Evren Ay, Boris & Jacqueline Safranoff, and Betsy & Alfred Scott. The event committee is Lisa Fox Martin, Geoff Howell and Michele Saunders. The Thomas Cole Historic Site wishes to thank all of the volunteers, interns, fellows, and staff who worked tirelessly to pull the event together!

About Thomas Cole

Long regarded as the founder of the Hudson River School, Thomas Cole (1801-1848) is a central figure in the development of American culture. When Cole made his first trip up the Hudson River in 1825, American cultural leaders were searching for something distinctly American to differentiate the young nation from Europe. Thomas Cole found that uniquely American characteristic in the Catskill Mountain wilderness, which came to symbolize the unspoiled soul of the new nation. Lionized during his lifetime and celebrated by a generation of artists who followed in his footsteps, Cole is now widely regarded as the father of American landscape painting.

About the Thomas Cole National Historic Site

The Thomas Cole National Historic Site is a non-profit organization that preserves and interprets the site where the artist Thomas Cole lived, worked, was married, and where he died at the age of 47. Today the site consists of the Federal style brick home (c. 1815), the artist’s restored studio, and lovely flower gardens on five landscaped acres with a magnificent view of the Catskill Mountains. Tours are offered May through October, Thursday through Sunday, and educational talks and other programs are offered throughout the year.

Thomas Cole National Historic House

218 Spring Street

PO Box 426

Catskill, NY 12414

518-943-7465

info@thomascole.org