Saving History, One Evening at a Time
Even locals may not notice the Southampton History Museum and the Halsey House and Garden. What’s another old house in Southampton? But not Jean Shafiroff, a noted philanthropist with an interest in history. For years she has been a supporter of the institution. And for years they have had a quiet get-together on the Fourth of July.
On May 14 Jean Shafiroff held a reception in her New York City apartment to reassure people that, despite all the hoop-la over the coming holiday, their party would go on.
Sarah Krautz, executive director of the museum, Jean Shafiroff and Mary Slattery, co-chair of the event (photo credit: PMC / Paul Bruinooge)
It takes a brave organization to plan an event for the Friday before the 4th of July, in a year where everything is focused on the number 250. The number for the Halsey House is 343. That’s how many years since Thomas Halsey Jr. built this particular house in Southampton. But Jean Shafiroff, co-chair of the event with Mary Slattery, was intent on raising money, recruiting donors, whipping up attention, and getting people to turn out, on the biggest Fourth of July weekend since 1976.
Montgomery Frasier and Marilyn Kirschner (Photo Credit: PMC / Paul Bruinooge)
Halsey House and Garden is one of the oldest dwellings in New York state, and the oldest in Southampton. After additions and remodeling, it is a saltbox that turns into a jigsaw at 249 S Main Street near Agawam Lake. Until now the annual event has been a casual, bring-your-dog thing. Calling it a “gala” probably does not change that. No one expects ballgowns at 5:30, even in Southampton.
The event, to be held at the house from 5:30 to 8 pm on Friday, July 3, will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a raw bar and live music, with poceeds going to support the preservation of Southampton’s history. Top donor tickets are $20,000. General admission is $350. If you want to meet real South Hampton, buy a ticket.
Southampton’s mammoth Fourth of July parade doesn’t kick off until 10 am on Saturday, so the schedule works out. People will even be able to go on to see fireworks, if they leave promptly at 8 pm.
Malan Breton, Jean Shafiroff and Kobi Halperin. (photo credit; Paul Bruinooge/PMC)
Guests at the apartment that night enjoyed cocktails and conversation, mostly about the Halsey House party. Shafiroff underscored the importance of supporting institutions that preserve local heritage. Generations had protected the 14 buildings that make up the Southampton History Museum and its many holdings. The least supporters could do was continue the responsibility.
The designer Maurizio Mauro and the photographer Patrick McMullan (photo credit: PMC / Paul Bruinooge)
Those in attendance included Sarah Kautz, the executive director of the museum, and fashion designers who count Southampton ladies among their clients: Frederick Anderson, Kobi Halpern, Malan Breton, Victor de Souza, Maurizio Mauro and Ron Dyce. Others there were Averitt Buttrey, the president of the board of trustees, Mary Slattery, Marc Rosen, Patrick McMullan, the fashion editor Marilyn Kirschner, the stylist Montgomery Frazier, Alex Hamer, and Margo Langenberg. –– Linda Lee
