Views
from the Sunny Hill
Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park
FALL 2014
Reflections from the Boardroom
Sonnenberg Property Restoration?
BY MARGARET OWENS, PRESIDENT
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t’s hard to believe that fall is already here—it seems that the summer has just flown by! We have had another great season here at Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion. As we enter into the cooler weather and this season of thanksgiving, I want to thank all of our staff and our wonderful volunteers who make Sonnenberg such a special place. We have over 400 active volunteers that give of their time and energy to help sustain us. It is their hard work and dedication that make it possible to keep our gates open and bring us all the spectacular special events throughout the season. Without our volunteers, we simply could not operate. It is such an honor and a privilege to work with all of you and to be affiliated with this organization. Moving forward, the Board of Trustees has been working hard to continue to make Sonnenberg an operation that is sustainable in the future. Our primary sources of income are donations, weddings, and special events. Arts at the Gardens, considered one of the
Senator Charles Schumer, Executive Director David Hutchings, and Canandaigua Mayor Ellen Polimeni on the adjacent Armory property (Photo Credit: Penfield Post)
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ear Sonnenberg Trustees, it was a pleasure to join Senator Schumer on October 1, 2014 at the Armory with several of you and the Sonnenberg Staff as we learned of his support and willingness to work to see the Armory acreage returned to Sonnenberg. My work with Senator Schumer has proven him to be a true advocate for topics in which he becomes involved. An example I can cite is Lagoon Park, for it was with his help the park came to exist. I have been at Sonnenberg several times this season for events and to participate in weddings. I have marveled at the beauty of all gardens, the mansion and the other buildings that add to the ambiance of the grounds. Everyone involved is to be commended for the care and time given to maintain this wonderful asset to our city. If I can be of further support in the Armory effort through letters and personal contacts please feel free to contact me. Sincere thanks for your stewardship of Sonnenberg, Ellen Polimeni Letter from Canandaigua Mayor Ellen Polimeni to the Sonnenberg Board of Trustees concerning Senator Schumer’s support of Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park acquiring the adjacent and soon to be vacant US Armory property. •
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Giving Tuesday is Dec. 2, 2014. It is a world-wide giving and charity event. Like to be part of the it? Visit www.roctheday.org and give to Sonnenberg CONTINUED ON PAGE&3 other local organizations.
OPEN DAILY
May 1 - October 31 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Memorial Day - Labor Day 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
onnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park
State of the Property
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By David Hutchings, Executive Director
istorical organizations like Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion have the unique privilege to pursue, tell and engage stories of the past. This year we had a tremendous summer working on our interpretative plan for the site and specifically our signage program to further our mission. The signage program allows our visitors to learn more about each garden, historical structure, historic house museum and the life legacy of the Thompson Family Estate. The design work on the signage is now finished thanks to the Peebles Island staff working with our marketing & archives group and the signs are being installed throughout the property this fall. This project will be completed by the beginning of the 2015 season. We are happy to announce that Sonnenberg has received further funding through the NY Works Fund to begin the North Landscape and Aviary project for the Aviary Complex and a new north entrance next season. The construction documents are now in the final stages. As we look to the future and our goals to restore the property to once great prominence, we ask for support of our Greenhouse Complex and the needed upgrades to provide for our collection storage. The Army Reserve Center on the South West corner of the original property may be part of our answer. The 3.5 acres and the building on the property are shutting down as the U.S. Government is consolidating its operations to a newly renovated and modernized facility in Webster, NY. On October 1, 2014, Senator Charles Schumer held a press conference here in support of us obtaining the property in cooperation with NY State Parks. The property, if acquired would answer a multitude of present needs to our existing operations. First, it would provide a building for a visitor education & welcome center plus a secure climate controlled facility for our historical collection. Second, it would give us a much needed maintenance facility for care of the buildings, property, trams and vehicles. Thirdly, it would provide 140 new paved parking spots for visitors, busses and tour accommodation as well as expanded event opportunities. We are eager here at Sonnenberg to pursue this wonderful opportunity for our future. Sonnenberg is still dedicated to being a community event venue and this summer we were able to host many other nonprofits in the private use of our facilities. In May, the Community Foundation dinner was hosted in the mansion by our past board president, Dale Stell. In June, we hosted the 10th anniversary celebration of the Canandaigua Chamber Music Festival and had a Rose Walk for the Thompson Foundation. Later in the summer, we hosted a 5k run a fundraiser for the American Red Cross and also participated in the community wide Alzheimer’s walk. As we close this season and begin to plant next year’s garden and plan the upcoming season, I once again want to thank the volunteers who gave the gift of time and energy to help us 2
Views from the Sunny Hill
FALL 2013 FALL 2014
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
Margaret Owens, President Malcolm O’Malley, Vice President Susan R. Van der Stricht, Sec./Treas. Kristen Fragnoli Laura S. Harkness Lynn Herzig David Hewson Diana R. Johnson Daniel McCormick Scott Rankin Barbara Stahl R. Michael Tantillo John Tharp, Park Manager. Seneca Lake State Park Marianne Timms
Lead Volunteers
Staff
David Hutchings, Executive Director, Director of Horticulture Kimberly Burkard, Marketing & Membership Coordinator Barbara Carson, Office Coordinator Kevin Coons, Maintenance Pamela Gangloff, Guest Svcs. Mgr./ Volunteer & Education Coord. Bruce Henninger, Business Manager Cynthia Hunt, Interim Curator Deborah Kelly, Program Manager
Location & Mailing:
Sonnenberg Gardens Mansion & State Historic Park 151 Charlotte St. Canandaigua, NY 14424
Admissions - Nancy Raley Phone: Buildings & Grounds - Fred Salsburg 585-394-4922 Floral Design - Dorothy Talone Gardeners - David Hewson Fax: History Team 585-394-2192 Housekeeping - Helen Myers Museum Docents - Gloria Dornberger Web: Tasting Room - Betty Rodriguez www.sonnenberg.org Tram Guides - Ron Owren Walking Tour Guides - Kathleen Linse 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 orchestrate another successful season of opening the gates of the Thompson Estate for not only the enjoyment of our guests and community but also to help to celebrate the lives of the Thompsons on this remarkable historic property. •
Thompson Abbey Day—Damp weather didn’t dampen the spirits at this event on September 21st. Inspired by the popular PBS show, Downton Abbey, this event featured activities and period dress from Mrs. Thompson’s pre-WWI, postEdwardian era. Pictured is Sue & Jim Knauer with their morgan mare, Suzie. They braved the rain and shared carriage driving demonstrations with guests. Thank you, Sue, Jim & Suzie! •
Volunteer Corner
By Pamela Gangloff, Volunteer & Education Coordinator I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.
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William Shakespeare
hat’s a wrap on the 2014 season and you really knocked yourselves out! Volunteers are unselfish when it comes to sharing time and this year I noticed that many volunteers are multi-talented. At the April recruitment meetings, most of you signed up to work in one area. But what I began to realize as the season progressed is that many volunteers share their time doing a variety of tasks. I saw someone in the cold frames dead heading flowers in the morning and then driving a tram in the afternoon. Another who had initially volunteered to mow became a tram driver too. Gardeners shared their time early in the season by volunteering to help get the mansion ready to open. Tour guides served wine at the Moonlight Stroll events. There was one rainy day when there were four bus tours all on the grounds at the same time. In the pouring rain, bus tour guides became tram drivers, gift shop workers helped out in the wine center. Where ever someone was needed they volunteered. Many, who served at the August Teas, baked the delicious pastries themselves. In addition, there were a group of people who became designers, painters, upholsterers, carpenters and plumbers to revamp the guest restrooms in the Bay House. So many hidden talents have been coming to light. This is just some examples of how people share time in so many different ways. I would like to thank all Sonnenberg Volunteers who have shared their love and time. You have helped demonstrate the positive impact of volunteering. •
BOARDROOM, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
premier juried art shows in the nation, continues to be our largest event and our biggest fundraiser for Sonnenberg. This show is a tremendous undertaking, and I want to particularly thank Cathy Sweet and all those who are involved in the planning, coordinating, and execution of this event. We are very fortunate to have so many wonderful people that support Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion. Now it’s time to take the next steps towards securing our future as a destination of choice in the Finger Lakes area. We are currently seeking to acquire the U.S. Army Reserve property that is adjacent to Sonnenberg. This property was originally part of the Sonnenberg estate. Plans for this property include a new Welcome Center, Dedicated Programming Space, Artifact Display Area, and a new Parking Lot, which will serve to welcome the tens of thousands of visitors that come each year and be better able to accommodate tour busses. We couldn’t do this without your support—we need your help to continue our mission. Your time, energy, and monetary donations are what sustain us. We have come such a long way in restoring the Gardens, Mansion, and historic buildings on the property, but we still have much more to do. Please go out and share the Sonnenberg legacy with others, to help bring in people that are committed to maintaining this historic landmark. And thank you to each and every one of you for being a part of this legacy. •
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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SONNENBERG GARDENS 2015 EVENT CALENDAR Mar 6-8 Annual Orchid Show
May 1 Sonnenberg Opens for the Season Photo Contest Starts (Ends 9/26) May 2 Spring 5K Run & Stroll I Love My Parks Day May 9 Mother’s Tea Jun 8 Roses & Rosés Jun 21 Father’s Day Car & Motorcycle Cruise Every Friday Night in July + Aug 7 Moonlight Stroll Concert Series Jul 27 Ladies Golf Tournament Jul 27 - 31 Sonnenberg Historic Summer Camp Every Thursday Afternoon in August August High Teas Aug 15-16 Arts at the Gardens
A Summary of the Year’s Events By Deborah J.C. Kelly, Program Manager
It was a wonderful year here at Sonneberg starting with our Mother’s Tea (5/10). With only one seating, guests and volunteers found it to be more relaxing and enjoyable. Sonnenberg was also pleased to again host the Plein Air Competition & Festival (6/7 & 8). Festival coordinators said it was their most successful event yet. Graced with beautiful weather, our annual Roses and Rosés event (6/9) featured 26 participating wineries and 9 restaurants with over 250 participants. Another beautiful day was in store for our Father’s Day Car Show (6/15) where we showcased approximately 200 classic cars with over 500 attendees. Friday nights in July plus the first Friday in August saw our ever popular Moonlight Stroll Series. Along lit gardens and pathways, guests were entertained by Flint Creek (7/4), Tullamore Celtic Band and Irish dancers (7/11), The Rochester Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra (7/18), Riddim Posse (7/25) and The Fools (8/1). It was an exciting line-up enjoyed by all. Even though golfing for our Ladies Golf Tournament (7/28) was rained out, the ladies enjoyed their lunch, good company, and fun in the rainfree Mansion. Everyone looks forward with anticipation to the August Teas held every Thursday in August. This year was no exception as these events were sold out a month in advance. Sonnenberg’s biggest fundraiser, Arts at the Garden, was on 8/16 & 17 and featured 110 stunning artisans plus a special exhibit by the Hungerford Studio artists. We need volunteers to help with the 2015 show. Please contact volunteers@sonnenberg.org if you are interested in volunteering. New this year was “Thompson Abbey Day” (9/21) inspired by the popular PBS television show “Downton Abbey.” The event showcased activities and period dress from the same pre-WWI era as Downton Abbey. Our mid-October Mansion Mysteries which is a live whodunit theater, had sold-out performances including the new matinee performance. Our Haunted Garden Stroll (10/26) spooked and thrilled young and old alike with haunts from the last 127 years of life (and death) at Sonnenberg. See below for our 2014 events yet to come. Thank you to all the volunteers that make these events possible and to our visitors that support us by their paid attendance to these events. •
Sep 20 “Thompson Abbey” Day Oct 10 Fall Gardening Symposium Oct 16-18 & 23-24 Mansion Mysteries Oct 25 Haunted Garden Stroll Oct 31 Sonnenberg Closes for the Season Dec 12 Sonnenberg Christmas Gala Event schedule subject to change. Additional programs, events, and event details are available. Please call us or visit our website for more about these and other events.
Survey & Giveaway New Publication: The Workers at Sonnenberg Published in 2014 and written by Barbara Stahl, this new book focuses on the army of individuals who worked at Sonnenberg in the Thompsons’ era. Copies are for sale in the gift shop. •
We have a short survey about categories of programming you would like to see us offer more of in the future. The survey is available online at: http://goo.gl/k8TO9r If you complete the survey by 12/4/14 you’ll be entered in a drawing for a gift pack of goodies. One entry per household. See webpage for details. •
Upcoming 2014 Events
December 6—Holiday Home Tour Tour selected historic and festively decorated home in Canandaigua as well as the Sonnenberg Mansion. $22/person advance sale, $25/day of show. December 13—Christmas Gala Ball
151 Charlotte Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424 www.sonnenberg.org • 585-394-4922
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Views from the Sunny Hill
FALL 2013 2014
Dance and celebrate in the Mansion decorated for the Holidays. Black-tie event. $55/person, $45/Sonnenberg member. Prepaid reservations required. Call 585-394-4922 or see our website www.sonnenberg.org for more details or to RSVP.
Annual Report
Support and Revenue = $1,254,861 Expenses = $815,497 Operating Surplus= $439,364
By David Hutchings, Executive Director
Thanks again to our two internal fundraising committees of Arts at the Gardens and the Friends Council. Arts at the Garden gave a generous donation of $18,000 this year to the organization after our weekend event in August. This again was our largest community fund-raising event in 2014.The Friends Council also raised some good funds selling concessions at public events, hosting our August Teas. They gave funds this season including $3,000 towards a new tram, $11,000 for the Mansion interior plaster work in the Rotunda, Library, upstairs hallway and the Drawing Room. Our Sonnenberg Garden Club this season assisted in the Cutflower Gardens with a new dahlia donation of $750 and the Cook family added $1000 of new perennials to the Blue and White Garden in memory of their mother Adeline. The Board of Trustees and Staff are encouraged with the positive results of so many of these efforts this season. We all look forward to the further restoration of Sonnenberg’s physical property in 2015 with the Aviary building
Operating Income $509K
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Operating Expenses $544K
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We had some growth in 2014 in corporate events and business use of the open site rental. This year we hosted the many community fundraisers and the Annual Picnic for Canandaigua National Bank which hosted over 2000 visitors. Other revenue streams of note in the 2014 season included two grants: a $10,000 ZBGA grant for the gardens and the $4500 Greater Hudson Heritage Network award for a conservator to review a statuary bust from Giuistannanni collection. We also received money this year from two local foundations— the Canandaigua Rotary and the Thompson Health Foundation—to assist with Therapeutic Horticulture programs plus successfully wrote a program grant for this year’s summer camp.
These figures were provided by our auditing firm Heveron & Heveron for the year ending December 31, 2013.
Sa l W ar y ag & es
In 2013 we had an outstanding year because of the project support and a large bequest and memorial. Year to date in 2014, Sonnenberg had a season with challenges both from the long harsh winter and a cooler, wetter season which affected the overall income slightly below budget in the first 3 quarters. Our gate attendance has had another good bus tour season but, with the weather, there was an overall a modest decrease to this year’s visitation starting with the Orchid Show and lasting all the way thru Arts at the Gardens. We are close to meeting our 2014 membership goals but, still are down a few business and individual memberships. Sonnenberg did have a good year in community sponsorships and our private event season was about 10% over budget to date. In contributions, Sonnenberg has seen a significant increase in gift in kind donations for the several seasons. This year we received some nice Mansion furnishings and a $3200 orchid donation from Bloomfield Orchids. Our individual contributions, bequests, and memorials have been steady throughout the 2014 season. If you would like more information regarding any of our planned giving programs, please contact me at director@sonnenberg.org or at 585-394-4922.
project and the new North entrance project. We are on the right track in our slow and steady return to being a community and regional destination as a public garden and historical home of the Thompsons. We look forward to opening this State Historic Park again in 2015 to continue to herald the story of Frederick and Mary Clark Thompson’s legacy in Canandaigua. Thank you to all the volunteers, members, and the community at large that assist with our continued success. •
Left: The first of our new signs are in place and the rest will be before the start of the 2015 season. Right: A number of roses and trees were replanted this season—including many memorial plantings.
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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 2015 newsletter. List from October 16, 2013 through October 16, 2014
Contributors ($100 & Above) Barry & Margaret Adams Alstom Signaling Foundation Inc. Amica Canandaigua National Bank Carol Anderson Nancy Atwood & Kevin Stone Rita & Willard Bavineau Bioworks Mary & Terry Blowers Ellen Booth James & Ina Brownridge Canandaigua Rotary Club Centerpointe Country Club Cig Insurance Agency Linda & Don Collins Wanda Carey & Dana Drake Michael & Robin Eames Therea Flaim & Bernard Neenan Gail Flugel G.W. Lisk Company, Inc. George Hamlin Stephen & Barbara Hamlin Laura Harkness Howard Harrison Paul Harvey Shelby & Wendy Haynes Michael & Kathleen Hoar Mary Johnson & Marcia Peters Walter Jones Kenneth & Susan Kinsey Brian Klafehn Elizabeth Komke Rhonda Kreft & Janet Kemp Bruce & Susan Krobusek Gary & Susan Lawton Helen Lewis Raymond & Lisa Lincoln Robert Lowenthal Cricket Luellen Lyons National Bank Timothy & Julie Macko Kent & Jane Niederhofer Ed & Sue O’Connor Oriental Garden Society Erika Pfeiffer Augustine & Claire Pingitore William Rayburn Alona Redden Carl & Jodi Reynolds Margaret Rhodes Riedman Communications Inc. Norma Riedman Lawrence & Virginia Rockwell Kurt & Adeline Rudolph Ryans Wine & Spirits Peggy Savlov Joseph & Sylvia Schepisi Michael & Tarry Shipley Marc & Fran Siditsky Jill Snyder Sonnenberg Garden Club John Spare Richard & Karen Spurr
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Views from the Sunny Hill
FALL 2013 2014
Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust Dale Stell & Carla Lee Ann Stevens & William Shattuck Donna & Roger Strelow Kim & Janet Tenreiro The Schwartz Family Foundation Marianne Timms George & Ronna Treier Howard & Suzann Van Buren Walmart Wegmans Food Markets Michael & Patricia Wilder Griffith Winthrop Susan Worrall Louise Zipp
In-Kind Contributors
All Occasions Catering American Made Anthony Road Wine Company Arbor Hill Winery & Grapery Artiques Heirlooms and Art Belhurst Castle Billsboro Winery Bloomfield Orchids David & Cheryl Anne Brewer Kimberly Burkard Buttonwood Grove Winery Mark & Dawn Case Laurie Clark Cazbah Internet Marketing Solutions Carl Elemendorf Country Ewe Creative Hands Crown Jewelers Dahlia Society of Rochester Dr. Frank Vinfera Wine Cellars Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters Flowers by Stella Corrita Forrest Creative Caterers Fulkerson Winery Gale-Wyn Catering George Eastman House Glenora Wine Cellars/Knapp V&W Stephen & Barbara Hamlin Harris Seeds Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard Heron Hill Wineries Heveron & Company CPA’s Hewlett-Packard David & Patricia Hutchings David & Gail Hewson Jayne Hunt Hunt Country Vineyards, Llc Inspire Moore Winery E. Key & Ed Bartolotta Kings Catering Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars Estate of Robert Lowe Mario’s Steakhouse Michael & Kathleen Linse Mcgregor Vineyard Microera Printers
Ellen Howe Milko Muar House Cafe New York Wine & Culinary Center Amy Ogden Olde Homestead Country Store Mike Parish Meaghan Phillips Potter HVAC & Metal Fab, Inc. Frank & Judith Prestage Fred Reed Renaissance Goodie II Shoppe ReStore (Ontario Co. Habitat for Humanity) Rheinblick German Restaurant Raymond Rice Fred Salsburg Mike Sargent Chris Saunders Seneca Park Zoo Seneca Shore Wine Cellars Serenity Vineyards David & Mary Jo Shuler Simply Crepes LLC Sock Nook of The Finger Lakes Barbara Stahl Standing Stone Vineyards Sweet Expressions Tantalo Photography The Apple Farm The Furniture Doctor The Rabbit Room The Holloway House Marianne Timms Villa Bellangelo Winery Wade’s Market Center Wegmans Food Markets Walmart Wick-Edly Sent Michael & Patricia Wilder Ryan Wilmer Zugibe Vineyards
In Honor of John C. Murphy Nancy Baker Louis Jackson
In Honor of Nancy Lee Peggy Savlov
In Memory of Margaret Jean Baker Theresa Flaim & Bernard Neenan Charles & Rita Horn
In Memory of Frederick Brandlin Marilyn Bird Rodney & Deborah Brown David & Patricia Batt
In Memory of Jane Corrigan James & Marion Holden
In Memory of Joseph Delforte Canandaigua Rotary Club
In Memory of Myrtle Eames Joyce Connelly
Thank You, cont. In Memory of Myrtle Eames cont. Susan Worrall Mary Lou Worrall Michael & Robin Eames
In Memory of Betty Knight Gregory Litz Brian Klafehn Erika Pfeiffer
In Memory of Loretta Mott The Furniture Doctor Board of Trustees
In Memory of Margaret Mercado Louise Zipp
In Memory of Carolyn Newkirk William & Anne Buckingham
In Memory of Onnolee Voorhees Peffer Onnolee Peffer
Wesley Gifford Memorial Fund Stephen & Barbara Hamlin
Please call 585-394-4922 or email marketing@sonnenberg.org with any questions or concerns. We greatly appreciate your generosity and support.
A scene from the Mansion library. (Entry in the 2014 Photo Contest.)
Collections & History
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By Cynthia Hunt, Interim Curator
he curatorial and archival team are working hard to make Sonnenberg’s photographic collections more accessible to researchers. Our volunteer archivists catalogued over 1,600 stereograph views to date, many of which Frederick Thompson took himself. These photographs of family members, Sonnenberg, and early images of Canandaigua are invaluable to our collection and provide great insight into the history of the Thompson family and Canandaigua in the late 19th century. In the coming months, we will submit some of these stereoviews and other photographs to the New York Heritage digital collection, an online research portal for anyone researching the people, places, or institutions of New York State. A new exhibit about Sonnenberg’s trees celebrates the hard work of our horticultural staff and volunteers in repopulating the arboretum. The exhibit outlines the history of trees planted on the estate and showcases the accomplishments of the past few years of replanting. Frederick Thompson began planting fruit trees and evergreens in the 1860s and Mary Clark Thompson continued developing the grounds long after his death. Check out our exhibit to learn interesting facts about some of the Thompson’s extraordinary specimen trees we replanted.
Seeds & Sprouts—
Tips and other bits from the 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. We also hope you saw the Vanishing Acts exhibit on loan from the Morton Arboretum this garden season. It featured endangered trees from around the world, interesting facts about them, and the threats to their survival. Above is a detail from one of the exhibit’s signs. •
We received a Conservation Treatment Grant from the Greater Hudson Heritage Network to conserve our Roman Bust of a Woman this winter. The sculpture is one of the few remaining art pieces brought to Sonnenberg by Mrs. Thompson and it once belonged to the Giustiniani Collection—the largest collection of antiquities in early seventeenth-century Rome. Conserving this sculpture will further our goal of preserving original Thompson-owned objects and promoting the history of which they are a part. In the years to come we will focus on the Thompson family legacy, looking at how the Sonnenberg estate reflects the Thompsons’ community-minded philanthropy. In William Hornaday’s Masterpieces in Garden-Making, a tribute to Sonnenberg’s gardens, he recounts some of the “many things Mrs. Thompson has done for the benefit of humanity” and writes that “knowing the whole story, when you contemplate the gardens of Sonnenberg, you can do so with a constant glow of pleasure in their ownership.” Themes we hope to explore in upcoming seasons include recreation in the gardens, women’s suffrage, and Sonnenberg’s statuary collection. If there is anything you would like to see or learn about at Sonnenberg in the future, please email us at curator@sonnenberg.org. • Please join us in welcoming our new curator, Cynthia Hunt. She brings a fresh and vibrant approach to the interpretation and preservation of our historic collections.
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Nonprofit Org. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
151 Charlotte Street Canandaigua, New York 14424 www.sonnenberg.org 585-394-4922
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Celebrate Sonnenberg
t is hard to imagine our community without Sonnenberg for it has touched so many lives in so many ways throughout its long history—and it continues to do so each and every day. This summer we received a donation from a couple celebrating their life-long commitment to each other and our memorable piece of their lives. We are truly honored by this gift and by the heart-felt sentiment that accompanied it. Here is an excerpt from the letter that accompanied their donation: Please accept our donation to commemorate our first visit to Sonnenberg 41 years ago. We were married on the 23rd and came to Sonnenberg on the 24th. We enjoy our volunteer work, and we look forward to helping out at this beautiful spot for years to come. Words such as these are far from alone. Visitors, volunteers, and community members all share with us their special Sonnenberg experiences and life-moments.
Has Sonnenberg touched your life? If so, we urge you to make a charitable gift this season for it is only through people like yourself that the Sonnenberg gates stay open. It costs $2000/day to open the gates to the public. Your gift can help to keep them open for generations to come. You can make your tax-deductible gift via the enclosed envelope, through our website www.sonnenberg.org, or by calling 585-394-4922. You may also make your gift on Giving Tuesday, December 2, 2014 via the ROC-the-Day website at www.roctheday.org. Thank you for your support and for celebrating Sonnenberg! 8
Views from the Sunny Hill
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Permit No. 24 Canandaigua, NY