On Monday, May 13, the New England Society in the City of New York (NES) honored its long, distinguished history and raised funds to support its philanthropic programs at its 208th Founders’ Day Celebration.
Judith A. Bliss, Stephen Storen, Sara Hunter Hudson and Ron Gold co-chaired the cocktail dance at the Racquet and Tennis Club on Park Avenue. The evening featured music by the Alex Donner Orchestra, and attendees enjoyed a raw bar, carving stations and hors d’oeuvres in between spins on the dance floor.
NES was founded in 1805 when Thomas Jefferson was President of the U.S. and the population of New York was 75,770. The Society held its first official gathering on May 6, 1805, at the City Hotel. Early philanthropic activities varied, such as distributing firewood to needy New England families in New York. Today, the Society’s charitable programs focus on education and historic preservation. The NES Scholarship Program helps to fund New York City students at New England colleges and universities. The Central Park Monument Fund helps to preserve the Park’s historic statues and monuments, including the bronze sculpture of The Pilgrim located at East 72nd Street, which NES commissioned and donated in 1885.
Many prominent New Yorkers served as President of NES, from William Evarts (founder and president of the New York Bar Association) and JP Morgan (financier, art collector and philanthropist) to Seth Low (Mayor of New York and president of Columbia University). In addition to raising funds for its charitable programs, Founders’ Day also celebrates these early leaders. For more information about NES and its distinguished history of helping those in need, visit http://www.nesnyc.org.