Views
from the Sunny Hill
Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park
FALL 2013
Reflections from the Boardroom By Dale Stell, President
As we wrap up another successful year at Sonnenberg, I’m reminded of how far we’ve come in the last eight years—the improvements that have been made to facilities and grounds are remarkable. We are so thankful: to our many volunteers who run events, fund raise, and maintain our gardens and buildings; to David Hutchings, Executive Director of Sonnenberg, under whose leadership we’ve flourished; to our staff, although tiny in numbers, who are able to accomplish huge things; and to our Board of Directors who guide the “ship” we call Sonnenberg. Congratulations and thank you to all. Still, with all the progress we’ve made there is a never ending list of projects to do. The support of our community is essential to continue to move Sonnenberg forward. As the traditional season of giving approaches, please consider a gift to Sonnenberg. Large or small, all gifts are greatly appreciated and always are put to good use. While on the subject of gifts, we all have that hard to buy for person on our holiday list. Why not give them a year’s worth of enjoyment by way of a membership at Sonnenberg. It is an unusual gift that they can enjoy over and over and they will think of you each time they use the membership card. And please remember that our mansion, carriage house, and wine tasting room are all available to hold your office or family gathering this holiday season. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Share Your Love for Sonnenberg
by Diana Palotas, Development Manager
When Pat Quist downsized from her home to an apartment, she didn’t need to give up her love for gardening. Pat knew she could help many things grow at Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion, one of the most beautiful collections of formal gardens in the United States. Pat volunteers to dig in the dirt each week. “It’s been seven years since I retired and I’m now part of a nice group that meets at Sonnenberg. This is my gardening fix.” Pat says with a smile. Pat is one of the hundreds of volunteers who share their love for Sonnenberg through their time, talents or financial support. Because when you give, more than flowers bloom at this amazing destination. More people with developmental disabilities attend the summer camp just for them. More kids benefit from the Children’s Pat Quist, one of the many dedicated volLearning Path and Garden Scavenger Hunt that unteers that care for the gardens winds through the park. More couples celebrate the wedding of their dreams here. More tourists choose Sonnenberg and enjoy the respite that was the Thompson’s Summer Home.
“Beautiful gardens and stately home” Pittsburgh, PA
“Extraordinary adventure” Scottsville, NY
“Lovely” San Diego, CA
“Put this on your to do list!” Doylestown, PA
Many travelers share their love for Sonnenberg in words on our Facebook Page or TripAdvisor.com. We’re inviting you to also Share Your Love for Sonnenberg with us and the world! We’re kicking off our new fund raising and awareness campaign and we’d like to hear from you. Share your feelings about the gardens or mansion on our Facebook page at http://goo.gl/GIsa4t or email them to us for possible inclusion on our website at development@ sonnenberg.org. Give your time, talent or financial support and Share Your Love for Sonnenberg in 2014. Although we operate as a New York State Park, we are a non-profit organization. Without your help, it doesn’t get done. We rely on
Open Daily May 1 - 25 & September 2 - October 31 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. May 26 - September 1 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
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onnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park
State of the Property By David Hutchings, Executive Director
As the fall begins for another year at Sonnenberg, we can once again say to our community that the not for profit had another successful season. This would not be true without the selfless service of over 200 dedicated volunteers and a staff that gives their all to keep the Thompson estate cared for daily. In 2013, Sonnenberg was awarded the Chamber of Commerce award for our outstanding work in tourism. Our season has had a few hardships with the rain during the first ten weeks that hindered our attendance at the gate and at our events—but thanks to our bus tour traffic, we have reduced the loss in our daily attendance. Since our last newsletter, we have lost two pillars of our organization in Dr. William Clark and Wesley Gifford. Both had committed their lives in service and support to this community not for profit and without their vision, financial support, and their love for the Thompson legacy, we would not have Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion today. We will miss their great contributions to this organization. This season’s bright spot was our private rental business for weddings, receptions, photo shoots, and other special occasions that have remained steady for the past two seasons. This is driving our thinking in our next Capital project of developing an adaptive reuse of our historic aviary and the north entrance of the estate—to build a new event site venue with a permanent tent pad and repair a very deteriorating area of the estate. We have worked with NYSOPRHP engineers and architects to put together drawings and contract specifications to be able to move forward with this project. We have applied for a Consolidated Funding Grant to help with funding this project. We believe that this project will help with sustainability both financially (to secure this revenue stream) and operationally (to have this site will reduce labor and utilities in having a summer event venue). This summer we have also made progress in collection care as we now have our MAP assessment. This will help us build a collection plan for the multifaceted aspects of structure, gardens, statuary objects, and archival material to secure the significant artifacts and the collections Sonnenberg holds that can be used for a dynamic guest experience. Our long range planning committee is looking at this aspect and many others to secure a bright future for Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion. This off season we will put this planning together with both outside stake holders of our community and all the internal support of board, staff, and volunteers. Each winter we grow the gardens, plan the next seasons and celebrate with the volunteers of once again opening the Thompson estate to the public. We hope you will consider helping us at the end of this year with a contribution to one of our needed projects or by becoming a member 2
Views from the Sunny Hill
FALL 2013
MISSION STATEMENT: Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion preserves the living collection of nine historic gardens and interprets the life, times, and legacy of Canandaigua’s Thompson family estate. Board of Trustees
Dale Stell, President Laurie Riedman, Vice President Margaret Owens, Treasurer Susan van der Stricht, Secretary Tom Baker Fred Bonn, Regional Director of Finger Lakes State Parks Derek Brocklebank Dan Fuller Laura S. Harkness David Hewson Malcolm O’Malley Scott Rankin Jeanna Savage Judith Smith Marianne Timms Prudy Whitehead
Lead Volunteers
Admissions - Nancy Raley Buildings & Grounds - Fred Salsburg Floral Design - Dorothy Talone Gardeners - David Hewson Housekeeping - Helen Myers Museum Docents - Gloria Dornberger History - Dory M. Wilson Tasting Room - Evelyn Fleming Tram Guides - Joan Curry & Ron Owren Walking Tour Guides - Kathleen Linse & Laura Dustin
Staff
David Hutchings, Executive Director, Director of Horticulture Kimberly Burkard, Development & Marketing Coordinator Kevin Coon, Maintenance Margarete DeMay, Membership Pamela Gangloff, Volunteer & Education Coordinator Bruce Henninger, Business Manager Diana Palotas, Development Manager Deborah Kelly, Events Manager Matt Pisanzio, Office Coordinator Timothy Ryan, Curator
Location & Mailing:
Sonnenberg Mansion & State Historic Park 151 Charlotte St. Canandaigua, NY 14424
Phone:
585-394-4922
Fax:
585-394-2192
Web:
www.sonnenberg.org
E-mail:
info@sonnenberg.org
Newsletter printing by Microera Printers, www.microera.com
Be sure to look for and follow us on: To get our FREE monthly e-newsletter, send a subscribe request to: marketing@sonnenberg.org
or by renewing your annual membership. Thanks again to all of those who support this incredible regional community project of Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion; we all have so much to be proud of in our care and stewardship of this historic property. •
Sonnenberg was the 2013 recipient of the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Award for Tourism. Pictured: D. Kelly, D. Hutchings, A. Grems
Volunteer Corner
By Pamela Gangloff, Volunteer & Education Coordinator
As I strolled up through the Japanese Garden this week, I was thinking of what to write about in the Volunteer Corner for “Sunny Hill!” Then I walked up the steps to the back of Hercules Fountain and there in front of me is why I Love Sonnenberg— the Italian Garden reminds me of the many hours shared by the countless volunteers to create this amazing Garden. The seeds are germinated in January by our gardening volunteers and then transplanted all through the winter into larger containers, one seedling at a time. The thousands of coleus plants are tended by the ARC for us because our greenhouses cannot hold them all. They water and tend to them while our volunteers tend to our many seedlings. In April, the four sunken gardens were cut and readied for planting on a cold and blustery day. In May, the four fleurde-lis patterns were planted and it took an entire hot, humid week. I know because I was on hand to help plant over 10,000 annuals. This is another reason why I love Sonnenberg— because of the dedication of all the volunteers who share their time at Sonnenberg. Each showing their Love for this gem—you all share in so many different ways. From the container pots crew to the floral master arrangers cutting and arranging the beautiful floral arrangements seen throughout the estate —to the twelve dedicated Admissions volunteers who greet our guests —from the Bay House Tasting Room and the Gift Shop volunteers —to the Merry Maids who keep the mansion sparkling —from the Walking Guides and the Docents who educate the many guests who come to visit each season —to the History committee that is continuing to learn more each day with the transcribing of Fredrick Thompson’s diaries —they are bringing Fredrick and Mary to life for all —from the Buildings and Grounds men and women who keep the lawns mowed and the Trams running —to everyone who shares time with our many special events
—from the Tram Drivers to the wedding bells and the office volunteers too! To the Friends of Sonnenberg who continue to show their Love of the estate, and have shared over Thank you from Pam & the rest of the 10,400 hours through Sonnenberg Staff! the month of August, Mary and Frederick say “Thank You!” •
BOARDROOM, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
As always, thank you for your support of Sonnenberg. We hope you have a happy and wonderful holiday season. • SHARE YOUR LOVE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
income from special events, (30% of our annual revenue), visitor admissions, memberships, gift center sales and donations to open our gates each day. You, as a member or patron, are the only reason we are able to operate and maintain the park while consistently committing to restoration and preservation projects that secure Sonnenberg’s reputation as a gem in New York State. Please share your love for Sonnenberg like Pat Quist. She and her new friends care for this wonderful gathering place. Won’t you join in the fun? • If you wish to direct your gifts to a specific area at Sonnenberg, please see our main Giving page on our website to print our 2013 Designated Giving form. You may download the form directly from here: http://goo.gl/ynSBxL or scan the icon at the right with your smart phone to go to our main Giving page.
Memberships are great for holiday gift giving!
Become a member or give the gift of Sonnenberg today!
Membership Levels - see complete list of benefits on our website Student $25 Individual $40 Dual $60 Rose $500 Orchid $1000 Lily $2500 Member Information Name: Street: Email:
Family $100 Patron $250 Mary Clark Thompson $5000
Phone: ( ) City/State/Zip: New Renewal Gift I want to volunteer!
If gift or different billing information, please fill out the following: Name: Phone: ( ) Street: City/State/Zip: Check
Donation: $
Total Enclosed: $
Credit Card #: Exp. Date: / CCV: Mail to: Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park, 151 Charlotte Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424 You may also visit our website www.sonnenberg.org or call our offices at 585-394-4922 to pay for membership or to make a donation.
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• 2014 EVENT CALENDAR • FEB. 22: Love of Orchids Seminar MAR 7, 8, & 9: Annual Orchid Show MAY 1: Sonnenberg opens for the 2014 Season. Photo Contest begins. MAY 3: Spring 5K Run & Stroll MAY 10: Mother’s Tea JUN 9: Roses & Rosés JUN 15: Father’s Day Car & Motorcycle Cruise JUL 4, 11, 18, 25: Moonlight Strolls JUL 28: Annual Sonnenberg Golf Tournament JUL 28 - AUG 1: Sonnenberg Historic Summer Camp AUG 1: Moonlight Stroll AUG 16 & 17: Arts at the Gardens OCT 17, 18, 24 & 25: Mansion Mysteries OCT 26: Haunted Garden Stroll OCT 31: Sonnenberg Closes for the Season DEC 6: Holiday Home Tour Event schedule subject to change. Additional programs, events, and event details not available at press time. Please call 585-394-4922 or visit our website www.sonnenberg.org for more about these and other events. Clip and save!
Letter from the Editor
By Kimberly Burkard, Development & Marketing Coordinator Greetings! Since the last newsletter, faces have changed behind the scenes a bit and I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Kimberly Burkard and I joined the staff in May. What do I do? Like most of the people who work here, I wear many hats. But other than the newsletter you hold in your hands, the majority of my efforts are seen in the places you encounter Sonnenberg outside of the physical park itself. That includes advertisements, social media pages, monthly e-newsletter, website, flyers, and more. While I am a new employee, I am not new to Sonnenberg. I first visited Sonnenberg more than 30 years ago. It was, like with so many people who walk through our gates, a summer family trip. We spent a wonderful time walking through the gardens and enjoyed a Diana, today, in the Blue & White Garden picnic lunch my mom packed. Being an avid gardener already at that age, plus a dedicated student of myth and legend, I fell in love not only with the gardens but also with the stunning array of classical statuary. The Temple of Diana, still standing at that time, was my favorite and is my most vivid memory of the park on that day. Because of severe deterioration, the Temple has since been dismantled and the life-sized statue of Diana now overlooks the Blue and White Garden. Even though it has changed, I can’t help but to recall those happy family memories when looking upon the Temple pieces or the statue itself. And I also recall when the name Sonnenberg first became special to me. If you are reading these words, I’m positive you have your own unique stories to tell of when you fell in love with Sonnenberg. We would like to offer you a chance to share those stories with us. And through selected stories, we will share your love of this unique place with the rest of the world. Look for these stories in the upcoming newsletters and on the website in the coming months. • Submit your stories via email to marketing@sonnenberg.org or by mail to: Kimberly Burkard, Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park, 151 Charlotte Street, NY 14424
Upcoming Events
DEC 15: Christmas Gala Ball Dance and celebrate in the Mansion decorated for the Holidays. Black-tie event. $55/person, $45/Sonnenberg member. Prepaid reservations required. DEC 16: Funday Monday at Simply Crepes in Canandaigua Good food and good service for a good cause! Eat at this local favorite on 12/16 and mention you are supporting Sonnenberg to have 10% of your check donated to us! First place People’s Choice Award for the Fall Car Cruise Event was John Dillman’s Pierce Arrow
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Views from the Sunny Hill
FALL 2013
Call 585-394-4922 or see our website www.sonnenberg.org for more details or to RSVP.
Annual Report
Support and Revenue = $737,645 Expenses = $730,721 Operating Surplus= $6,924
By David Hutchings, Executive Director
Capital Project Income for 2013:
The Davenport Hatch Foundation also gave $15,000 this year towards the Roman Bath Stabilization Project but was put in our Capital Project income. •
These figures were provided by our auditing firm Heveron & Heveron for the year ending December 31, 2012.
Operating Income $300,000 $250,000 $200,000 $150,000 $100,000 $50,000
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A G en dm e i ss ra l io ns Co nt r ib ut io ns
Museum Association of New York awarded $534 for David Hutchings, Executive Director and Timothy Ryan, Curator, to attend the Museums in Conversation Conference. The American Alliance of Museums has assisted in a Museum Assessment Program for Collections Stewardship. Lloyd E Klos Historical Fund has awarded $3,000 for the Historical Signage Program through the Rochester Area Community Foundation. The Guido and Ellen Palma Foundation awarded $2500 towards the Children’s Education Garden and Kid’s Trail. New York State’s Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Aquariums Program awarded a grant of $15,000. The Walmart Foundation and Facility #1673 (Canandaigua) awarded a grant of $2,000 through the Local Facility Giving Program for the Summer Historical Adventure Camp for kids with special needs program. A $2,700 grant was awarded by the Finger Lakes Community Arts Grants (New York State Council on the Arts) for the Arts in Bloom programs plus a $4,200 grant awarded by Finger Lakes Arts Grants for the Moonlight Stroll series and art and photography programs.
P A ro g c t ra iv it i m es
Grants for 2013:
Operating Expenses $569K
$300,000 $250,000 $200,000 $150,000 $100,000 $50,000
Seeds & Sprouts—
Tips and other bits from the gardens While our gardens sleep through the winter, our gardeners do not! Late winter is a very busy time in the greenhouses. Tens of thousands of seeds are started for planting throughout our many gardens. During the month of April we will open our greenhouses to the public. For a $1 donation, you may visit our greenhouses: Tuesdays, 9 a.m. - Noon Wednesdays, Noon - 3 p.m. Come and see seeds being started. Wander through the tropical Orchid
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House and Palm House. Marvel at the cactus, agave, and other desert plants that grow in arid conditions. A greenhouse visit will be a great way to fight the late winter blues and inspire dreams of spring! • Common names of some plants can be as colorful as the plants themselves. Did you know that wolf’s bane (Aconitum sp.), balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus), Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella damascena), Pleurisy root (Asclepias tuberosa), and Blackberry Lily (Belamcanda chinensis) can all be spotted in our Old Fashioned Garden? •
Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), a tree native to N. America, blooms Sept. to Nov.
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Thank You to Our Contributors
We also appreciate the continued support of our Members. A Member list will be included in the Spring 2014 newsletter. List from January 1, 2013 through November 1, 2013
CONTRIBUTORS
$100 AND ABOVE
ANONYMOUS ALSTOM SIGNALING FOUNDATION INC. AMANDA’S GARDEN ARTS AT THE GARDENS CAROL ANDERSON RICHARD & MARYLOU APPEL RENEE BOWEN CANANDAIGUA NATIONAL BANK CENTERPOINTE COUNTRY CLUB CIG INSURANCE AGENCY WILLIAM & LAURIE CLARK LINDA & DOUGLAS COLEMAN LINDA & DON COLLINS BYRON & CAROLINE DELAVAN DR. & MRS. ALFRED FALCONE HENRY & BARBARA DYKEMA ESL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION EXXON MOBIL FOUNDATION FLCC HORTICULTURE CLUB FRIENDS OF SONNENBERG STEPHEN GUATTERY GUIDO & ELLEN PALMA FOUNDATION MURIEL & ROBERT HAGGERTY PATRICIA HAGGERTY LAURA HARKNESS HOWARD HARRISON SHELBY & WENDY HAYNES NANCY HODGE LEE PATSY HOUPT BETTE JACOBSON JOHNSON-KENNEDY FUNERAL HOME INC. KENNETH & SUSAN KINSEY BRUCE & JENNIFER KLEIN FREDERICK & CAROLYN KLESS RHONDA KREFT & JANET KEMP BRUCE & SUSAN KROBUSEK ROBERT LOWENTHAL LYONS NATIONAL BANK ELIZABETH MCANARNEY MR. & MRS. ROBERT TAIT KEITH JOHN MURPHY ED & FRIEDA O’HANLON RENAISSANCE GOODIE II SHOPPE MARGARET RHODES ROCHESTER AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION JOAN SANDERS STEVEN SHEMIRANI GRAHAM SMITH JILL SNYDER NORMA STEWART CATHERINE & ROBERT SYKES PATRICK & SHARON TUZZOLO HOWARD & SUZANN VANBUREN WALMART - CANANDAIGUA WEGMANS - CANANDAIGUA ALBERT & MARGARET WHITE MICHAEL & PATRICIA WILDER
IN-KIND CONTRIBUTORS
ADORN JEWELRY ANNIE’S HALLMARK ANTHONY ROAD WINE COMPANY APPLEBEE’S NEIGHBORHOOD BAR & GRILL ARBOR HILL WINERY & GRAPERY ARTIQUES HEIRLOOMS & ART BED & BREAKFAST AT OLIVER PHELPS BED BATH & BEYOND BJ WHOLESALE
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Views from the Sunny Hill
FALL 2013
BLOOMERS FLORAL & GIFTS DIANE BLUFF JOANE BOWERMAN BRENDAN & MARY BRADY BUTTONWOOD GROVE WINERY CAZBAH INTERNET MARKETING SOLUTIONS CLARK MANOR HOUSE CROWN JEWELERS DIANA’S GARDEN ERIC’S OFFICE RESTAURANT F. OLIVER’S FLOWERS BY STELLA GALE-WYN CATERING PATRICIA GARRAHAN GLENORA WINE CELLARS/KNAPP V&W GOOD360 INTERNATIONAL BOB & PHOEBE GROCE STEPHEN & BARBARA HAMLIN DALE HEINZMAN HERON HILL WINERIES DAVID & GAIL HEWSON HOSMER WINERY HUNT COUNTRY VINEYARDS LLC. ICON SALON & SPA IL POSTO BISTRO & WINE BAR INN ON THE LAKE INN ON THE MAIN INSPIRE MOORE WINERY JUST YOUR STYLE SALON PAUL KLEINSTUBER CARYL LANE MAYFLOWERS NURSERY & GARDEN CENTER THOMAS & MARY LOU MEES ELIZABETH MESSMER MICROERA PRINTERS JEAN MIDDLEBROOK ELLEN HOWE MILKO MURPHY ORCHIDS NOLAN’S ON CANANDAIGUA LAKE OLDE HOMESTEAD COUNTRY STORE OTTO TOMOTTO’S PEDDLERS ANTIQUES PEPPERS DELI & PASTA POTTER HVAC & METAL FAB INC. NANCY RALEY RAVINE WINE CELLARS - KEUKA LAKE RAVINES WINE CELLARS - SENECA LAKE RENAISSANCE GOODIE II SHOPPE RHEINBLICK GERMAN RESTAURANT RAYMOND RICE JUDY RICOTTA RICHARD & LAURIE RIEDMAN RIEDMAN’S HAPPY HIVES ROCKCASTLE FLORIST WALAJEAN SAGLETT FRED SALSBURG MIKE SARGENT SIMPLY CREPES LLC JUDITH SMITH BARBARA STAHL STARBUCKS SWEET TIMES BAKERY ESTHER SWIMLEY TANTALO PHOTOGRAPHY MARIANNE TIMMS TOPS MARKETS VILLA BELLANGELO WINERY WALMART - CANANDAIGUA WEGMANS - CANANDAIGUA WICK-EDLY SENT WILDFLOWERS ZUGIBE VINEYARDS
IN HONOR OF JOHN MURPHY’S BIRTHDAY
LOUIS JACKSON
IN HONOR OF CATHY SWEET’S SERVICE
KAREN & PETER MOUNT
IN HONOR OF KATHY WISSLER’S BIRTHDAY
JOYCE & DAVID PRULL
IN MEMORY OF DOLORES WRIGHT BRYAN
BODNAR GROUP CONSULTING LLC. GRAHAM SMITH I. ELISABETH SOCCI LINDA & DOUGLAS COLEMAN MARY EGELING & MICHAEL RIZZO PATRICK & SHARON TUZZOLO RICHARD & JUDITH LINES STEVEN SHEMIRANI
IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM R. CLARK, JR.
DR. & MRS. ALFRED FALCONE ELLEN BOOTH HENRY & BARBARA DYKEMA PATRUNO ELECTRIC INC. PATRICIA HAGGERTY SHEILA LEMKE
IN MEMORY OF PHYLLIS COLEMAN
E. ANNE ALLEN
IN MEMORY OF ADDIE COOK
BARBARA HOLMES BOB & EILEEN WENDROFF BRUCE & ANNE KENNEDY CLAUDETTE CULIAN GABRIEL MEYER JAMES TYRRELL JANE LUCY FLUET JOAN SANDERS MATTHEW & STACY WENDROFF NADIA HARVIEUX OKSANA FULLER RICHARD & MARCY BERENSON THOMAS & JUDITH ROSKENS
IN MEMORY OF WES GIFFORD
FREDERICK & CAROLYN KLESS
IN MEMORY OF ROBERT HOEKELMAN
ALBERT & MARGARET WHITE BETTE JACOBSON BRUCE & ANNE KENNEDY BRUCE & JANE BAKER DOUG & SALLY ALLING ED & FRIEDA O’HANLON ELIZABETH MCANARNEY JOAN & ALAN HASSELWANDER LAURA HARKNESS LORRAINE LUNDY MARTHA & ALAN PETERMAN MARY JANE RITZENTHALER
IN MEMORY OF ROBERT HOEKELMAN continued
MELINDA SCOTT MOCK NANCY QUIGLEY NORMA STEWART PATRICIA BOLAND PAUL KELLOGG RICHARD & MARYLOU APPEL STEPHEN GUATTERY THE RAGUSO FAMILY
IN MEMORY OF JAMES INGALLS
EVELYNE BOTTORF
IN MEMORY OF DON SMITH
HELEN MYERS
Contribution list is current through November 1. Member list will be included in the Spring 2014 newsletter. Please call 585-394-4922 or email marketing@sonnenberg.org with any questions or concerns. We greatly appreciate your generosity and support.
“Small Female Figure,” white marble, 3 - 4’ tall
We are trying to locate 3 pieces of statuary that once called the Sonnenberg Estate home. If you have seen any of these pieces and know their whereabouts please contact Sonnenberg’s Curator, Timothy Ryan, or the Executive Director, David Hutchings, at 585-394-4922. Read more about and see images of these pieces on our website at: http://goo.gl/l0jOXb You can also access this information by scanning this icon with your smart phone.
The Hunt for Missing Statuary By Timothy Ryan, Curator
Throughout the 2013 season Sonnenberg continued to make great strides toward best standards and practices when it comes to the management and care of our collections. Ever increasingly, we are finding the proper balance between added accessibility for our patrons and the long-term preservation of our collection materials. This season the double-arch bedroom and the library inside the Thompson Mansion were opened up to provide a much more personal visitor experience for our patrons. We will continue this trend into future seasons and plans have been initiated to allow our visitors increased access to additional rooms inside the Thompson Mansion.
“Group of Wrestlers,” white marble, 3 - 3.5’ tall
As we continue into the future the furnishings in the Thompson Mansion will be updated in order to make the mansion a more “event-friendly” location while maintaining an accurate historical interpretation of the site. However, recently our focus has shifted slightly toward maintaining some of our collection that through dedicated research has uncovered some interesting facts regarding several pieces of marble statuary originally purchased by Mary Clark Thompson in 1903. This past season it was discovered that in 1903 Mary Clark Thompson purchased 34 pieces of statuary for the Metropolitan Museum of Art that were part of the famed Guistiniani Collection. The MET decided not to keep all of the pieces that were purchased and ultimately Mary Clark Thompson sent 8 of these pieces to Sonnenberg in 1906. Today, Sonnenberg still has 6 of the original 8 pieces of the Guistiniani Collection that came here in 1906. The Guistiniani brothers, Vincenzo and Benedetto, started their world renowned collection in the early 17th century after they discovered the ruins of Emperor Nero’s Bathhouse Complex as they were digging the foundation to their palazzo in Rome, Italy. Vincenzo was a banker while his brother Benedetto was a Cardinal and Papal Treasurer at the Vatican. The brothers were great lovers of the arts and recognized the importance of antiquities from the Roman Empire. They were also patrons of the great artist Caravaggio and along with their impressive collection of paintings, the brothers amassed over 1800 pieces of statuary that in later years would be sold off, lost, or dispersed throughout the world. Portions of the Guistiniani Collection now reside not only here at Sonnenberg, they are also on permanent display at the MET, the British Museum, the Louvre, the Vatican, and many other notable institutions around the globe. As research continues into Sonnenberg’s portion of the Guistiniani Collection, we will focus our efforts on the long-term preservation of these irreplaceable pieces of history and artistic significance and we will try to locate the 2 pieces that Sonnenberg is missing that once called this estate home. The importance of the Guistiniani Collection cannot be underestimated and as Olga Raggio (former curator at the MET) stated in a 2005 article, “the Guistiniani Collection is one of the most important collections in the history of Greek and Roman art.” As Sonnenberg progresses into the future, we are looking to preserve our portion of the Guistiniani Collection and ultimately put them on permanent display, but funding is limited and the financial support of our patrons is graciously requested in order to maintain these pieces of untold historical and artistic importance for future generations to learn from and enjoy. If this is a project you are interested in supporting or if you identify another project of interest regarding mansion furnishings or other portions of our collection, please contact our Curator or Executive Director. Thank you for your continued support as it’s greatly appreciated. • WWW.SONNENBERG.ORG 7
Nonprofit Org. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
151 Charlotte Street Canandaigua, New York 14424 www.sonnenberg.org 585-394-4922
Permit No. 24 Canandaigua, NY
Fall, 20123 Dear Sonnenberg Friends: Before this magnificent fall, so full of beauty and rich, deep autumn tones comes to a close, I would like to express my appreciation of all the hard work that went into making 2013 such a success and season of growth at Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park. In addition to hosting your many popular community events, you helped Canandaigua celebrate its 100th anniversary and expanded your electronic resources for visitors, including an engaging curatorial blog and slide show of stunning seasonal blooms. The Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion continues to be a shining model of historical and natural preservation because of your tireless efforts. There is a well-known saying that, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.� Thank you, all of you, for contributing to the promise that future generations will still appreciate the splendor of nature. With deepest thanks, Late autumn color (Acer palmatum) in the gardens
Rose Harvey, Commissioner 8
Views from the Sunny Hill
FALL 2013