French Heritage Society’s Summer Soiree

Photos by Jared Siskin and John Sanderson

On Friday, July 19^th, 2024, French Heritage Society (FHS) hosted their annual Summer Soirée at the home of Maria and Kenneth Fishel in Bridgehampton, NY. The festive evening took the form of a cocktail party around the pool at the beautiful Fishel residence with generous support by Diptyque, rosé wine from Whispering Angel, and art on the table by Christofle. Hank Stampfl with Revel Rouge curated the event. 

Remarks were made by Maria Fishel, Elizabeth F. Stribling, Ann Van Ness, Jennifer Herlein, New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright and Judith Roze who emphasized the important role FHS plays in protecting French architectural and cultural heritage. She commended FHS raising $2.6 million for the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral, which will open on December 8, 2024.

The unforgettable soirée was held at the behest of Host Committee CeCe Black, Maria Fishel, French Heritage Society Board Chairman Elizabeth F. Stribling, and Ann Van Ness, and in the presence of Deputy Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy in the United States Judith Roze. Benefactor supporters included Elena Ayot, Elizabeth A. Baltz, Caroline E. Bassett, Lee Black, Talia and Ron Carner, Alina and Richard Dovere, Sandra Flax, Rosann Gutman, Brenda and Jim Howard, Vincent and Gabriella Khristov, Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley, Liz McDermott Barnes, Judy McLaren, Brent Feigenbaum and Frank Morgan, Pamela Morgan, Tatiana Reeves, Guy N. Robinson, Jean and Martin Shafiroff, Bayley Shane, Valere Shane, Lauren Smart and William Van Ness.

Esteemed guests included: Jacques Acoca and Ruth Miller, Chris Arlotta, Julie Auclair, Lynn Bounicontti, , Viola Chaloupkova, , Christophe Charpentier, Suzi Cordish, Francine Crocker, Jennifer Farrell, Bradley and Alexandra Fishel, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Sylvia Hemingway, French Heritage Society Executive Director Jennifer Herlein, Cheri Kaufman, Suzan Kremer, Maribel Lieberman, William Luby, Mar and William Morosse, Alexandra Alexandra Naranjo, Nicklas, Julissa Perez, , Smitha and Rahul Ramchandani, Lauren Roberts, Ramona Singer, Paula Smalley, Anita Thomas, Peter Thomas Roth, Elizabeth Steimberg, Andrea Wernick, Carole Westfall, David Wiener, and Victoria Wyman.

Proceeds from the Summer Soirée provide important support for FHS’s mission to ensure that the treasures of our shared French architectural and cultural heritage survive to inspire future generations.