Martha Stewart Hosts An A List Book Party at Historic $35 Million Atterbury Mansion


Martha Stewart | Credit: Patrick McMullan

Peggy Siegal who lived in Southampton during the Pandemic created a dynamic celebration for the renewal of life, literacy, luxury on Saturday, June 12, 6–8 pm, there was a celebration for the renewal of life, literacy, luxury on the lawn of the Grosvenor Atterbury house at 199 Coopers Neck Lane, newly renovated and reimagined by its owner, David Walentas, who underwrote the entire evening.

The house, represented by Brown Harris Stevens, is on the market for $35 million with the entire proceeds of the sale going to Mr. Walentas’ alma mater, the University of Virginia, as part of his $100 million pledge to UVA.

The celebration, called “Golden Age: The Genius of Architect Grosvenor Atterbury,” was also billed as an Author’s Night with Martha Stewart leading a conversation with authors Paul Goldberger (Pulitzer prizewinning journalist and author of DUMBO: The Making of a New York Neighborhood chronicling Mr. Walentas’ 50-year urban renewal in Brooklyn), and Peter Pennoyer, the architect and author of the definitive book, The Architecture of Grosvenor Atterbury.

 Amanda Foreman’s literary charity, the House of SpeakEasy, whose mission includes delivering books to underprivileged children in Harlem, was also a recipient of Mr. Walentas’ largesse with a generous charitable donation. The evening commenced at 6 p.m. with tours of the house and cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by Acqualina caterers.

The party was designed by Bronson van Wyck, who has also survived a year in the dark during the pandemic. His book, Born to Party, Forced to Work, was recently published by Phaidon.  Let the partying begin!

Photo Credits: Patrick McMullan

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