By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
On June 14, Lorenzo State Historic Site will host the annual Friends of Lorenzo (FOL) Garden Gala from 6 to 8 p.m.
The FOL mission is “to support and enrich the preservation and interpretation of the Lorenzo State Historic Site by inspiring community involvement and interest through programming, marketing and fundraising.”
This year, FOL celebrates 36 years of continued support for the restoration and maintenance of the site’s historic Ellen Shipman gardens.
The event — which is timed to showcase the garden’s peony blossoms — will feature light hors d’oeuvres, desserts, iced tea, wine and a signature sangria punch.
Mrs. Kelder’s Cakes, of Manlius, will donate desserts, and Tanya Clute, of “My Inspiration,” will donate gluten free treats.
Attendees will have the chance to participate in a gift basket raffle, as well as a raffle to win a private catered dinner for eight in the garden and a private mansion tour.
The event committee includes FOL President Nancy Weiskotten and board members Paige Brodock and Natalie Mehlbaum.
“The Friends of Lorenzo is looking forward to [the] gala as a welcome to the summer,” Weiskotten said. “We hope that as many people as possible will visit Lorenzo throughout the season and enjoy our upcoming events.”
Lorenzo Garden
Lorenzo’s formal garden is recognized as one of Central New York’s premier country estate gardens.
John Lincklaen’s original garden was laid out according to Dutch tradition, with a grid of eight squares surrounded by paths. The beds were planted with vegetables in the center bordered by flowers. Eventually, the vegetables were relocated to an area behind Church Cottage, the building that now houses the gift shop.
In 1856, after inheriting Lorenzo, Ledyard Lincklaen installed his own design featuring a central path with a sundial as the focal point.
Today, the garden retains much of Ledyard Lincklaen’s design. When the front and back doors of the mansion are open, the view extends straight from the garden to the lake.
Ledyard Lincklaen also planted the double hedge of white pine, hemlock and Norway spruce that is now referred to as the Dark Aisle.
In 1914, Helen Lincklaen Fairchild hired renowned landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman to enhance Ledyard Lincklaen’s design with formal perennial beds.
In 1983, FOL hired Master Gardener Janine Golub, who used the original Shipman design as a guide for plant selection and placement.
Upcoming FOL events
FOL will offer a Lorenzo Kids Camp at the Rippleton Schoolhouse July 22 to 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Children ages 7 to 10 will investigate 19th century life through art, nature and science while exploring the schoolhouse, Dark Aisle, mansion and grounds.
Join FOL for the “Taste of Madison County” — a fundraiser featuring beverages and food from local restaurants, wineries, distilleries and breweries, as well as musical entertainment. The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on July 31 on the lawn of Lorenzo. All proceeds will support the continuing restoration and preservation of Lorenzo and the Rippleton Schoolhouse.
Families are invited to the Lorenzo lawn for a free movie screening on Aug. 23. Food trucks, popcorn and desserts will be available for purchase at 6 p.m.
Since 2002, the Friends have hosted an annual event welcoming “kids of all ages” to the restored Rippleton Schoolhouse to enjoy nineteenth century games, live music, fall refreshments, wagon rides, country school activities and more. The free event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 15.
FOL will close out the year with its annual Member-Guest Christmas Preview Party from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 5. Guests will take in the mansion’s holiday decorations and enjoy live music and seasonal delights. The 2019 theme is “A Candy Lane Christmas.”
Stop by the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce at 59 Albany St. for contact information and details on all of the upcoming FOL events.
To purchase tickets to the Garden Gala or to learn more about the Friends, visit friendsoflorenzo.org. To purchase dinner raffle tickets, call Nancy Weiskotten at 315-440-2727.
