Views
from the Sunny Hill
Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park
Fall/Winter 2018
Sonnenberg Volunteer Commitment November 4, 2018 Volunteer Recogition Lucheon Speech
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By John Tharp, Park Manager, Seneca Lake State Park week ago my family and I came to Sonnenberg for the Haunted Stroll. I have now been to five of these and I think this year’s walk was the best yet. From the hilarious garden gnomes leading up to the mansion to the ghostly tea party on the porch. From the gargoyle and the witches brewing each other in the Italian Garden to the Swamp monster in the Japanese Garden. From the skeletal petting zoo in the Pinetum to the moment Frankenstein’s Monster burst from the Aviary. It felt like there was a ghost or ghoul behind every tree and around every corner. My two boys could not stop talking about it all the way home. And this is just one event! Mansion Mysteries, The Orchid Show, Arts in the Gardens, at least a couple of car shows, Roses and Rosés, I don’t know how many weddings! I am purposely leaving some out because I know I could never fit in everything. This type of event would not be possible without the dedicated group of volunteers we honor today. But as workers in NY State Parks we know the events are just a brief sparkle of activity here and there on the calendar. Does this or any
Kristen Fragnoli & Sonnenberg Staff sharing their gratitude with Volunteers
park go into hibernation between? No, it does not. This is where we really see Sonnenberg’s volunteers at their best. Every time I or one of my fellow State Parks workers walk through Sonnenberg we see where a gardener’s hand has been trimming shrubs or training a vine rather than cutting it. We see that the interior of the mansion is clean—not an easy job I might add! We see tram drivers, mowers, tour guides, and gardeners doing what is needed and at the same time, doing what you love! This Historic Park was built with love and love is still here in abundance. NY State Parks is proud to partner with the Friends of Sonnenberg Gardens and we are honored to work with you. We also see the patrons who come to Sonnenberg and their reactions to being here. We see the ease and the calm of the couple walking in the manicured old fashion garden or simply having a sit on the welltended lawn. We also see the children exploring the intricate paths and stepping stones in the Japanese Garden or staring wide-eyed at the music box in the mansion as it fills the rooms with song. We see these things and we know Sonnenberg is in good hands. NY State Parks and Sonnenberg are also partnering to preserve native plant species. Previously unused sections of the greenhouses are
Volunteers attending the year-end recognition luncheon
Make a Gift, Make a Difference Your tax-deductible donation will keep the gardens growing and the mansion open now andCONTINUED for the future. ON PAGE 3
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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 By David Hutchings, Executive Director
T
his fall, the beauty of the Arboretum was just breathtaking but it reminds us all that another garden season is closing. We have so much to be grateful for at Sonnenberg in the 2018 season as we continue our restoration of this beautiful 19th century estate. Here is an update on some of our ongoing projects. First the preservation work continues to resurrect the Thompson estate one project at time. This year’s accomplishments include the restoration of two historic structures. We completed the Pansy Fountain with its restored plumbing and drainage and the Glorietta project is coming along nicely with its restored foundation and columns which will be erected next spring. In Fundraising this year we secured the final funds for the Rock Garden Waterway Project to begin in 2019. The landscape interpretation plan is now coming to completion as our signage project was finished for our new Children’s Trail. We have beautiful graphite signs that have a thirty to forty year lifespan, telling our story and engaging our school age guest. Our booklet for the trail will be ready for our Spring 2019 opening. In Community engagement this year, I’m in awe of the support of our volunteer corps, who gave their time and energy to help us orchestrate another successful season of sharing the life and legacy of the Thompson Estate. Several people went above and beyond this season and I’m grateful for their hearts of service to our organization. We had a joyful celebration this month, to say “thank you”. As we close this season and plan out the next, we at Sonnenberg want to thank our members, patrons, and volunteers for “sharing their love” with us. Happy Holidays and we wish you a healthy and prosperous New Year! •
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
Staff
Key Volunteers
Interns: Iveta Buck Location & Mailing:
Kristen Fragnoli, Chair Person Robert Bennett, Vice Chair Jacqueline Biernat, Secretary Diana Johnson, Treasurer David Hutchings, Exec. Director Cheryl Adas Stephen Flamini Kathleen Hendrix Kristy Merriman Katherine O’Brien Charles Perfetti Vincent Scalise John Tharp, State Regional Representative Ryan Wilmer Brian Young Operations - Brian Case Office - Alona Redden Special Events - Sean Buck Mothers' Tea - Gaetan Wyman Merry Maids - Helen Myers Museum Docents - Ginny Konz & Beth Aldridge Vegetable Garden - Pat Hutchings Orchid Collection - Fran Murphy Rose Gardens - Dolores Perkins Greenhouse Gifts - Judy DiRaddo
Kimberly Burkard, Marketing & Membership Barbara Carson, Office Coordinator Kevin Coon, Maintenance David DeMallie, Head Gardener Kat Dillon, Development Mgr. & Special Events Deborah Kelly, Program Manager Vanessa Lombardi, Business Manager Jun Liu, Guest Services Sarah Pennington, Gift & Wine Shop William Wagner, Maintenance Karen Walker, Exec. Assistant
Sonnenberg Mansion & State Historic Park 151 Charlotte St. Canandaigua, NY 14424 Phone: 585-394-4922 Fax: 585-394-2192 Web: www.sonnenberg.org E-mail: info@sonnenberg.org
Newsletter
Editor & Design: Kimberly Burkard Uncredited Articles: K. Burkard Photos: K. Burkard, I. Buck, J. Lowe
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Reflections from the Boardroom BY KRISTEN FRAGNOLI, CHAIRMAN
W
ith the close of the 2018 garden season, the Board of Trustees of Sonnenberg enters into the holidays filled with gratitude for the success of the season, hope for the year ahead, and minds swirling with ideas for growth, renewal, and expansion at Sonnenberg. This winter will be an important season of planning and preparation for a 2019 which promises to be a turning point in Sonnenberg’s story. The expansion into the former armory building means we will invest in planning for the move of our collections to the new building with an eye for collection preservation and improved storage and care options for our historical artifacts. Fund-raising and Friend-raising continues so that we can complete the many restoration projects Sonnenberg won the Best Historical Destination twice in 2018 (as voted on by Finger Lakes Times and Messenger Post readers).
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Views from the Sunny Hill
Fall/Winter 2018
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BOARDROOM, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
underway such as the Glorietta and Rock Garden waterways, and begin to set the foundation for a capital campaign to create a world class visitors center experience. That work will take several seasons to come to fruition, yet like any diligent gardener, we know that work in these “dormant” times is critical for growth. The board and staff will engage in detailed strategic planning discussions to set the course for this 3-5 year project. The first quarter of 2019 will also include efforts to organize and plan enhanced volunteer programming, training, and orientations for the 2019 season so that volunteers are supported and best prepared to be the face of Sonnenberg for our visitors and to enjoy a connected, engaging volunteer experience here on the sunny hill. More updates will be forthcoming about these and other exciting plans. As always, I would love to hear from you! For the season ahead, I sincerely wish you the desires of your heart during the holidays including love and happiness that lifts you, prosperity enough to meet your needs, peace of mind in an often-disconcerting world, health for you and yours and laughter to raise your spirits! Best regards, Kristen Fragnoli •
Our volunteers and their guest were treated to luncheon in the mansion—and the mansion was filled to capacity!
coming back online to house species of plants threatened by invasive insects and disease. Our Environmental Field Team will use these seedlings as far away as Buffalo and Niagara Falls to replace dead trees in the wake of these threats. We are also excited to partner with Sonnenberg in establishing it as a premier destination in the region. The recently completed work on the Aviary and the ongoing repairs to the greenhouses are adding to patron experiences every day. The upcoming restoration of the water features in the Rock Garden combined with the new plantings this fall will bring even more patrons to Sonnenberg. David Hutchings saw this coming. He also knew Sonnenberg would need to be ready to welcome more and more guests as word got out about what was happening here. As soon as David found out that the Armory would be closing he knew that Sonnenberg must have it. Not only to restore the property to Sonnenberg but to create a new entrance for our guests. NY State Parks is excited about what this will mean for Sonnenberg and we hope you are too.
Sonnenberg Gardens Board of Trustees in the Blue & White Garden, Summer 2018
I would like to finish with words from Rose Harvey, our NY State Parks Commissioner. In her words: “I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to you for your unwavering dedication, commitment and partnership to making our State parks and historic sites the very best they can be. We have so much to celebrate. Our visitors are experiencing first-hand the renaissance and transformation of our magnificent park system. Thank you for being a part of this moment in our great history and for all you do throughout the year to ensure we are the very best we can be for our visitors—creating experiences and bonds that last a lifetime.” You volunteers are creating those experiences. You volunteers are creating those bonds. And indeed, they will last a lifetime. On behalf of NY State Parks, thank you. •
The Rock Garden in winter white takes on a blue hue in the pools of shadow.
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Make a Gift, Make a Difference Thanks to generous donations from individuals like you, since 2005 we have steadily been making major improvements to our treasured Victorian mansion, distinctive historic structures, and beautiful gardens. Recently we have finished the restoration of the greenhouse Conservatory and Aviary building with associated event site. Your financial support has allowed us in 2018 to restore the Glorietta (finishing in early 2019), the Pansy Fountain, and plantings in the Victorian Rock Garden. Our current greenhouse restoration projects, supported in part by our partners at NY State Parks and Parks & Trails NY, center on restoring our historic Vinery and East Display green houses to a working, functional state so they can be used for the Native Plant Program. This program is designed to grow native plants in order to restore the original habitats and ecosystems of the grasslands and riparian waterways at Ganondagan State Historic Site, Green Lakes State Park and three gorges of Ithaca State Parks. Additional restoration of these greenhouses is required to support this ecologically beneficial program. Queueing up to start in 2019, as the remaining funds are secured for our Environmental Protection Fund matching grant ($900,000) that was awarded in 2017, is the Rock Garden Waterway project. This project will restore function to the waterways of this garden including the waterfalls and pools.
Restore Our Historic Features Just $30,000 more is needed to complete the restoration of the Rock Garden Waterways in 2019. $10,000 will help jump start the Vinery wing repair of The Green House next season.
Grow Our Endowment Our Endowment Fund is a reserve fund that helps ensure Sonnenberg will be here in the future.
Keep Our Gardens Growing For continued garden enhancement, landscaping, restoration, irrigation, and garden education.
With immense gratitude for your past support, we hope that you will help us continue to prosper. Our dream is to become the gateway to the Canandaigua region, the premier Finger Lakes tourism destination, and one of our nation’s most extensively preserved estates. With your gift, we can. Check the box of the fund you would like to support, complete the information below, and mail this form with your remittance. You may also make your year-end, tax-deductible gift via our website at sonnenberg.org or by phone to 585-394-4922. Thank you. •
Share Your Love for Our Beautiful Public Park Essential Support for the $2,500 daily operating costs to open our gates to the public.
Share Your Love with Sonnenberg! Historic Features Gardens Share Your Love Endowment Winter Warmth Where it is most needed! Donation: $________________ Member or Donor Information Name: Street: Email:
Phone: ( ) City/State/Zip: New Renewal I want to volunteer!
Become a member of Sonnenberg today! Holiday Special: $10/off (with this form. Expires 2/28/19)
Student $15
Individual $30
Dual $50
Family $90
Patron $240
Payment Information Check
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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Views from the Sunny Hill
Fall/Winter 2018
Spotlight On: William Hornaday
2018 Annual Report
By David Hutchings, Executive Director
As one of my colleagues in the cultural heritage tourism network stated about this garden season, it was either too hot to come to our attractions or it was raining during our holiday weekends. We experienced the same here at Sonnenberg Gardens in 2018. The Admissions was below our plan by approximately 15% this season. We are very grateful for a healthy special event season especially Arts at the Gardens, Haunted Strolls, and our recent Dickens Christmas weekend that made up some of that lost revenue. Our contributions, membership, and private events are all on track and we have had a good third and fourth quarter so far as people give to our beloved Sonnenberg. Our grant and foundation gifts have helped us all season with grants for operations from Parks & Trails NY helping us with our capacity building. Humanities NY, Thompson Health, Department of Labor, Farash Foundation, Finger Lakes Community Arts Grant, and the Pomeroy Foundation helped us provide a beautiful education and event season in 2018. Over all as we look through Thanksgiving, we are again on track for another successful season! Many thanks to our support of 250 volunteers and a strong and faithful membership base of 600 people. We have so much to be grateful for as we at Sonnenberg Gardens fulfill our mission of preserving the living collection of the nine historic gardens and interpret the life, times, and legacy of Canandaigua’s Thompson family estate. •
William Temple Hornaday, 1854–1937, American naturalist, b. Plainfield, Ind. He was educated at Iowa State College (now Iowa State Univ.), continued his study of zoology and museology in Europe, and was chief taxidermist (1882–90) of the U.S. National Museum. As the first director (1896– 1926) of the New York Zoological Park and as an author, Hornaday was a leader in wildlife conservation. His book Extermination of the American Bison (1887) helped to save the bison from extinction. His works also include the classic American Natural History (1904), books on wild animals, and Thirty Years' War for Wild Life (1931). Of special local interest, after college and museum work in Europe, Hornaday worked for Ward's National Science Foundation in Rochester, New York (1873). But most important to Sonnenberg is that almost everything written about Sonnenberg quotes Dr. Hornaday's 1917 work, Masterpieces in Garden-Making. This volume is his detailed diary and essay style written account of Mrs. Thompson's Sonnenberg from his visit in 1916. This work has been a key reference for for recreating the gardens, determining original locations of the gardens and sculptural objects. •
Financial Statement for the year ending December 31, 2017 Support & Revenue Contributions $118,355 In-Kind Contributions $64,429 Arts at the Gardens $66,978 Admission $235,064 Weddings & Events $117,773 Gift Shop & Wine Sales $134,238 Membership Dues $50,030 Programs & Sponsorship $85,748 Other Income $81,957 Restricted Funds Released $95,246 Total Public Support & Income $1,049,818 Expenses Amount Employee Salaries & Compensation $442,717 Retail Merchandise & Wine $68,656 Marketing & Promotional $60,515 Collections $3,352 Repairs & Maintenance $31,576 Operational Costs $ 362,519 Total Expenses $969,335 $95,246 spent in Garden Enhancement Projects
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Thank You to Our 2018 Contributors
Donations Dec. 1, 2017 - Nov. 16, 2018. Members thanked in Spring issue.
Contributors ($100+) Gay Abbey Aberle Eye Care Carol Anderson Joseph & Deborah Augustine B. Thomas Golisano Foundation Bank of the Finger Lakes Steven & Beverly Beer Anne Bigelow-O'Malley Bobbie Dillon, Conflict Management Specialist Bombace Wine & Spirits Boy Scout Troop 30 Joseph & Nancy Briggs Canandaigua Teachers Assoc. Brian & Marjorie Case Lynn Cayward Central NY Community Fdn CIG Insurance Agency Emory Clark Joseph & Nancy Cloke Dr. Dan Marion & Assoc. Tree Care Alayne Evans Mary Faulk Finger Lakes Comm. Arts Grant Gail Flugel Zay Foster GaleWyn Farms Gemcole Properties Inc. Genesee Region Orchid Society Gullo Dental, Pllc. Debra & Frank Hamlin Stephen Hamlin Howard Harrison Shelby & Wendy Haynes Raul & Charlotte Herrera Nancy Hodge Lee Jane Holden Barbara & Robert Howard Robert & Teresa Issa Walter & Diane Jones, Jr. Richard & Barbara Kent Val & Kurt Knoblauch Rhonda Kreft Jana & Warren Lamboy Phillip Lederer Anthony Leone Robert Lowenthal Lynch Furniture Company Lyons National Bank Timothy & Julie Macko Debra Martin Thomas & Mary Lou Mees Kristy Merriman Trixie Meteyer Monica's Pies Kent & Jane Niederhofer Richard Norman Normandy Ed & Suzanne O'Connor Olde Country Picture Framers P. Tribastone Fine Art Gallery 6
Views from the Sunny Hill
Parks & Trails New York Anna Polimeni & Brian Dennis Sue Quackenbush Alona Redden Redfin Meg Reed Retina Institute Richard & Laurie Riedman Rochester Area Community Fdn Rochester Home Builders Assoc. Ryan's Wine & Spirits Sandman Sandblasting Vincent & Mary Lee Scalise Elizabeth Schneider Kathryn Scott Marc & Fran Siditsky Dale & Carla Stell Nancy and Kevin Stone Sutherland House Bed & Breakfast Steven & Cheryl Swartout Stanley & Nancy Taylor The Country Vet PC The Davenport-Hatch Foundation, Inc. The Max & Marian Farash Charitable Foundation Tim Mckenna Construction Susan Van Der Stricht Lucy Waletzky Bruce & Jacqueline Walters Scott & Beth Ellen Warnshouse Wegmans Food Markets Albert & Margaret White David & Victoria White Michael & Patricia Wilder Wine University Louise Zipp In-kind Contributors ($500+) Associates for Training & Development (A4TD) Birkett Mills Crawford & Stearns Dr. Dan Marion & Associates Tree Care Gardenscape Genesee Region Orchid Society Lisa Goldberg Swiatek Studios Inc Seedway LLC WROC TV In Honor Of John C. Murphy Aurelia Holden Louis Jackson Mary & David Sevier In Honor Of Charles Perfetti Lucille Burrill In Honor Of Cheryl Swartout Allen & Kathleen Harter
Fall/Winter 2018
In Honor Of Art Tuppen Debra Martin
In Memory Of Rosie Bruce Zay Foster In Memory Of Charles Burkard Kimberly Burkard In Memory Of Michael Burkard Kimberly Burkard In Memory Of Ruth Delaney Mary Faulk In Memory Of Gene Faulk Mary Faulk In Memory Of Evelyn Fleming Trixie Meteyer In Memory Of Marlene Himes Kimberly Burkard In Memory Of Richard Joseph Robert & Teresa Issa Bruce & Anne Kennedy Kathryn Scott Kim & Janet Tenreiro Carol Voelker Harris Corporation, Intelligence Systems Design Retina Institute In Memory Of John Keltz Law Office of Stephanie Adams Michael & Kathleen Linse
Leah & Nathaniel MerrittMervine Richard Norman Scott & Beth Ellen Warnshouse In Memory Of Malcolm O'Malley Anne Bigelow-O'Malley David & Victoria White In Memory Of Margaret Mercado Louise Zipp In Memory Of John Rizzo Colleen Raimond & Lisa Cunningham In Memory Of Harold & Barbara Swartout Steven & Cheryl Swartout Michael & Patricia Wilder In Memory Of Norma Tunnison Lynn Cayward Jean Middlebrook In Memory Of Melissa Debolt Virag Phillip Lederer We greatly appreciate your generosity and support so if you have any questions about this listing, please contact our offices. •
Spotlight On: Ernest Bowditch Ernest Bowditch, 1850 - 1918, Landscaper, Engineer. Born in Brookline, Massachusetts, Bowditch studied chemistry and mining at MIT from 1865 to 1869 and left without earning a degree. He then worked at the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in Nebraska and then as a assistant mineralogist with a canal survey expedition in Panama. When he returned to the United States in 1870, he took on work as a landscape architect and civil enginer. From the mid-1880s through the late 1890s Bowditch shared office space with his brother James Bowditch, a forester. He also frequently worked with Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. and John Charles Olmsted, often as a surveyor or draftsman—he shared many of his most famous works with Frederick Law Olmstead with whom he also competed against. Mrs. Thompson hired him in 1900 to realize her dreams for her estate. At Sonnenberg he built the first several gardens and laid out the plans for many more •
Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park 2019 Events Calendar April 19-21
Spring Wildflower & Orchid Show*
Celebrate the arrival of spring with flowers April 27
Park Opens for the Season May 11
Saturday Mother’s Tea
Special High-Tea event for that Special Lady
April 19 - 21, Spring Wildflower & Orchid Show, 10 am - 5 pm Celebrate the arrival of spring with Sonnenberg! Stroll through gardens ladened with early spring flowers as well as the orchid displays in the greenhouses. Guided tours, family activities, educational talks, and more. $10/person, $5/Ages 4 -16, Free for ages 3 and under.
June 10
Roses & Rosés *
Wine & food tasting event in the gardens June 16
Father’s Day Car & Motorcycle Show * Celebrate Dad with classic cars & fun
Every Friday Night, June 28 - August 2
Moonlight Strolls Concert Series*
Summer concerts & our gardens lit for evening strolls July 28
Family Fun Day *
Hands-on fun and themed activities for all-ages Every Thursday Afternoon in August
August Teas
High Tea event on the Mansion veranda August 17 - 18
Arts at the Gardens *
A fine arts & crafts show and sale September 21
Antique Car Show *
Polished chrome & steel beauties on display October 5
Fall Gardening Symposium *
Day-long event featuring horticultural experts October 18 - 20 & 25 - 26
Mansion Mysteries *
Live mystery theater in the Mansion October 27
Haunted Garden Stroll *
Family-friendly haunted Halloween stroll
June 10, Roses & Rosés, 6 - 9 pm Celebrate Rose Month at Sonnenberg with this food and wine pairing event featuring dozens of the area’s best wineries and restuarants. Sip wine and dine while strolling through the Rose Garden. Silent auction. Prepaid reservations only. $30/person, $25/members. June 16, Father’s Day Car & Motorcycle Show, 11:30 am - 4 pm Celebrate Dad with classic cars! Food, flowers & fun for the whole family. Sign up to show your wheels! $15/person, $13/60+/AAA member, $8/Student (Ages 13-17 & College)/Military w/ID, $3/Ages 4 -12, Free for ages 3 and under. Every Friday Night June 28 - Aug. 2, Moonlight Strolls Concert Series, 8 - 10 pm Music in the moonlit gardens of Sonnenberg. Great for the whole family! See website for list of musical guests. $10/person, $8/Sonnenberg Member, $5/youth (Ages 6-17), FREE for ages 5 and under.
August 17 & 18, Arts at the Gardens, 10 am - 5 pm Shop for fine art and craft items handmade by skilled artisans. Food and music plus festival admission includes admission to the Sonnenberg’s gardens and mansion. All proceeds benefits Sonnenberg! $10/person
October 31
Park Closes for the Season December 7 - 8
A Dickens Christmas*
A Dickens-themed holiday event in the Sonnenberg mansion * Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Be sure to watch for new Sonnenberg walks, talks, and other programs we will add throughout our 2019 schedule.
October 18 - 20 & 25 - 26, Mansion Mysteries, 7 pm except for 4 pm Matinee on 10/20 Live whodunnit drama in the Sonnenberg Mansion. Prepaid reservations required. $30/person, $25/members & youth (ages 12-18) Sonnenberg Gardens is open daily to the public May 1 - October 31. See website or call for hours and admission rates.
Please call or see website for more information on these events, other events, and to make advance reservations and ticket purchases. Members receive discounts on select events and the event schedule is subject to change. For sponsorship inquiries, please call our office. Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park, 151 Charlotte Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424 w 585-394-4922 w www.sonnenberg.org WWW.SONNENBERG.ORG 7
Nonprofit Org. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No. 24 Canandaigua, NY
151 Charlotte Street Canandaigua, New York 14424 www.sonnenberg.org 585-394-4922
ANDREW M. CUOMO Governor
ROSE HARVEY Commissioner
November 2018
Dear Sonnenberg Friends: As another outstanding season comes to a close, I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for the extraordinary efforts your organization continues to dedicate to Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Site. Through Governor Cuomo’s NY Parks 2020 capital initiative to invest $900 million in the state park system from 2011 to 2020, we’ve seen growth and transformation like never before. Just this past spring, I had the pleasure of joining Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul and Senator Schumer to highlight the expansion of Sonnenberg through generous land acquisitions. Additionally, it was rewarding to tour Sonnenberg’s greenhouse and see the initiatives taking place to demonstrate the importance of environmental stewardship and management. As we continue to modernize our facilities, preserve, and celebrate our historic resources, Sonnenberg’s majestic gardens and estate serve as remarkable examples of both historic and natural preservation and act as a tourism magnet for travelers both near and far. Maintaining the beauty of Sonnenberg’s significant land and historic structures is by no means an easy task. I extend my deepest thanks to all the staff, volunteers, and community members who continue to work to keep Sonnenberg a world class destination. Thank you again for all your efforts and my best wishes for the holiday season. Until next season,
Rose Harvey, Commissioner
Also in this Issue: Volunteer Commitment 1 • Reflections from the Boardroom 2 • State of the Property 2 • Make a Gift, Make a Difference 4 • Annual Report 5 • Hornaday 5 • Donor Thank You 6 • Bowditch 6 • Event Calendar 7 • Commissioner Letter 8 8
Views from the Sunny Hill
Fall/Winter 2018