On June 28, the Stonington Historical Society hosted its 10th annual dinner dance and auction with well over 300 guests in attendance. Departing from its previous location at the Old Lighthouse Museum, the event was held at the Captain Nathaniel Palmer House, where guests were greeted by an extravagant array of flowers, plants, trees, and shrubs, all arranged by local nurseries into elegant displays. The garden/landscaping theme and new location were not the only changes, however; a new 10-piece band, Souled Out, provided the music, while those in attendance dined from the new menu provided by A Thyme To Cook.
Reflecting this year’s garden theme, silent and live auctions were held featuring plantings, design and landscape services, and party and entertainment packages. Some of the items up for auction were a potting shed designed by architect Robert Mercer and built by Robert Woods; a weekend in Manhattan with Broadway tickets; a week in a Nantucket cottage; and a cocktail party for 40 at Merry Meeting Farm.
All proceeds from the event will go to the new Captain Nathaniel Palmer Grounds and Gardens Fund, which was created to restore the proper gardening and landscaping to the somewhat barren grounds. Event co-chair Rebecca Lynch explained why the success of the gala was crucial to the Captain Nathaniel Palmer Grounds and Gardens Fund.
“The Palmer House is this absolutely beautiful Victorian house that sits up on a hill that has virtually no landscaping or planting of any sort,” Lynch said. “And the reason why I really became interested in this and came on board and to help out with this event was that I felt that the Palmer House just needed help. If it’s surrounded by beautiful plantings and trees and shrubs, more people will come and either go through it and tour or rent it out for parties and weddings and events. When you come to the Palmer House it will be the Palmer House and gardens.”