Bill and Ann Nitze
W
e came to Washington from New York during the Reagan administration when Bill was appointed to the State Department to work with oceans environment and science. His family had been in Washington for decades, so it was an easy move for us. I was able to keep my art gallery in New York and still live in both places. The arts and educational institutions here are important to us. Bill serves on the board of the Aspen Institute and the Krasnow Institute and we are always interested in Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies.We go to lectures and receptions at the National Gallery, concerts at the Phillips Collection, theater at the Harman Center and parties are at the Freer and Sackler galleries where guests wear gorgeous Asian finery and mingle with visiting maharajahs! Most of all we love our friends from over the years as well as the charming diplomats and interesting government officials who come, go and often return. What rules of etiquette remain meaningful for you today? It is most important to dress correctly for the occasion and make an effort to communicate with other guests. What has been lost that you miss the most? It is still nice to have proper invitations, place cards at table and written thank-you notes. Do you have any pet peeves with regard to bad manners? There is no excuse for not answering invitations and not showing up if you have accepted an invitation,
Mack and Donna McLarty photographed at their residence