French Heritage Society will host its Celestial Ball celebrating the historic reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. The annual Gala Dinner Dance will be held at a private club in New York City on Friday, November 15th. The festive event will have two very special Honored Guests: Odile de Schiétère-Longchampt, interior designer and steadfast champion of FHS, and Hank Silver, the American carpenter who spent a year-and-a-half rebuilding the wooden roof framing of the cathedral’s nave. FHS recognizes the philanthropists and artisans who have been an integral part of the restoration of this most prestigious landmark. Notre Dame is one of the finest examples of French Gothic Architecture.
On Wednesday, September 25th, FHS kicked off its busy gala season with festive cocktails hosted by FHS Board Member and former FHS Gala honoree Jean Shafiroff at her residence. Remarks were given by Jean Shafiroff, as well as FHS Events Chair CeCe Black, and FHS Executive Director, Jennifer Herlein. Guests were delighted to see New York State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright present Jean and Martin Shafiroff and the French Heritage Society with certificates of recognition from New York State for their contributions and service to preserving French architectural and cultural legacy both in the United States and France.
Esteemed guests included: FHS Board Members Jennifer Farrell, Rosann Gutman, and Liz McDermott Barnes. Also attending: Pauline Argenson and James Demmert, Allison Baroness von Arnim, Susan and Jerry Baker, Bettina Bennett and Gordon Beck, Lee Black, Sharon Bush, Candace Bushnell, Talia Carner, Liliana Cavendish, Yann Coatanlem, Francine Crocker and Dirk Adams, Patricia Cossutta and Puly Rincon, Paul F. Danello and Virginia Loving Pope, Wendy and Robert Federman, Vincent Festa, Silvia Frieser, Elena Gibbs, Julia Haart, Rolf Heitmeyer, Sylvia Hemingway, Gabriella and Vincent Kristov, Stewart F. Lane, Margo Langenberg, John Lutri, Ruth Miller, Pamela Morgan, Deanna Passarelli, Lauren Day Roberts, Anna Rothschild, Michael Gregson Reinert-Sessions, Patricia and Thomas Shiah, Michael Spinks, Hank Stampfl and Todd Burnsed, Andrea Wernick, Preston Wilson, Pamala Wright, Nina Yacavino, among others.
Upcoming FHS celebrations include Dinner at the Residence of the Ambassador of France to the United States Laurent Bili in Washington, D.C. on October 7th, Chairman’s Circle trip to the Côtes du Rhône October 17-23rd, New York Gala Dinner Dance on November 15th, Thanksgiving Dinner in Paris on November 26th, Palm Beach Gala Dinner on February 16th, 2025, and the Diner des Mécènes in Paris on May 20th, 2025.
About French Heritage Society
Open to all lovers of France, French Heritage Society aims to ensure that the treasures of French architectural and cultural heritage survive to delight, educate, and inspire future generations. Over the past 42 years, FHS has awarded approximately 685 restoration and cultural grants to properties throughout France and in the United States and selected and supported more than 580 university students who have crossed the Atlantic for internships at esteemed institutions. FHS has 11 chapters, 10 in the U.S. and one in Paris, and membership includes access to all.
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