Coming from as far East as London, and as far West as California, delegates gathered in Murray Hill in Midtown Manhattan for the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Headquarters Building, for the 250th Anniversary of America’s Independence, and the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The occasion brought with it a star-studded cast which included Lady Henrietta Spencer Churchill, cousin to Winston Churchill and daughter of the 11’th Duke of Marlborough,  Lady Caroline Stanley, Countess of Derby, wife of Edward Stanley, the 19th Earl of Derby, and Lady Flora Fraser. Each is a dynamic member of the English aristocracy. Each is wonderfully accomplished, all sharing among many other attributes, the notoriety of being gifted authors and historians. Not to be outdone as author and historian, President and CEO of Washington’s Mount Vernon, Douglass Bradburn was also a part of the Gala. Each brought much to the table, sharing and regaling the attendees with ever so interesting presentations and significant insights. Of course, the event was presided over by ESU Chairman Dr. Earl Quinn Peeper and President and Executive Director Karen Karpowich. The New York Office Team is to be commended for managing all the behind the scenes work which was graciously on display over the weekend.

 

After AGM member meetings during the day Friday, including Member Recognition awards (including Cville Branch BOM Members Phil Williams, Michael O’Donnell, and Cindy Ryan), Friday night began with a lovely reception and a “killer” Rum and Ginger Beer punch, reminiscent of the punches enjoyed by America’s forefathers, champagne and wines paired with lovely passed hors d’oeuvres, including hot mini-chicken pot pies. There followed much unveiling, not least of which was a plaque in honor of former Lexington and Charlottesville Branch President, National Board Member, and major Patron, Dr. Julia Van de Water.                                                                                                                                    

 

The oration contest was followed by a reassuring presentation by Chairman Peeper, who highlighted the many accomplishments of the ESU – and there are many, including a Capacity Building Campaign which had recently crossed the $900,000.00 mark toward its goal of a million dollars. The presentations by Ladies Churchill and Derby were magnificent and most entertaining. In the context of the 250th Anniversary of the American Founding, the line that brought the house down was the self-deprecating, but not really, observation by Lady Caroline, with a slide of Generals Bourgogne (Saratoga defeat) and Cornwallis (Yorktown defeat) side by side, in the context of the 250th Anniversary of the American Founding, noting that of all things, she had to be descended from “two losers.” So charming, so endearing, so effective a congratulation to America….

 

Saturday, during the day, tours were organized for members in the historic Wall Street area related to the American Revolution (walking) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Saturday evening featured the National Patron Reception at the famous Players Club in Gramercy Park, established by Edwin Booth in 1888, from a family of mid-19th century actors, one of whom was the notorious John Wilkes Booth, assassin of President Lincoln, from whom Edwin became mortified and estranged. The ambience was stunning, with walls covered with paintings and photographs of many of the most famous actors in the English-Speaking world, up to present days, set in elegant late Victorian woodwork and furnishings. The highlight of the event was the on stage conversation about the American Revolution and its primary architects and warriors between historians Douglas Bradburn and Lady Fraser who teamed up to offer insights into the combattants from both the English and the American viewpoints. 

 

This weekend offered a wonderful opportunity to hobnob with the distinguished guests, to meet branch leaders from around the country, and meet in person some of these same characters we have seen in recent years as hosts/speakers from the Happy Hour podcasts, so successfully launched during the Pandemic, which served to sustain, and continue to sustain, our shared ESU sense of membership and mission.

 

This was also a weekend for the winners of Branch Shakespeare contests and their families to experience “the Big Apple”, Lincoln Center, and a Finals competition. Details and pictures of these events are presented on a separate page on our Branch website.

 

The Branch wishes to thank Cville Branch members Debbie Pruett, Fay Cunningham, Mary Jae Abbit Sushka, and Branch President and First Lady, Phil and Marilyn Williams for representing the Branch.