Press Room

August 1 , 2006

For Immediate Release

HILLWOOD’S FIFTH ANNUAL GAY DAY!
Saturday, September 16, 10:00 am–5:00 pm

Washington, D.C. – Hillwood Museum & Gardens welcomes the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community to its Fifth Annual Gay Day. This festive event celebrates the life and passions of Marjorie Merriweather Post and this year features an interactive lecture on the life of Nadezhda Durova, a woman living as a man in the Russian military. The day will highlight returning favorites—Punch on the Portico—and new treats, including a vintage automobile provided by the Straight Eights Car Club.

In the interactive lecture, celebrated author Hilde Hoogenboom presents her latest work, “An Officer and a Lady: Nadezhda Durova, a.k.a. Cornet Alexander Alexandrov (1783–1866).” In this fascinating story, Nadezhda, a "cavalry maiden," fights in disguise as a man in the Napoleonic Wars and is awarded the Georgian Cross by Alexander I. After retiring, she continues to live as a man—and on a military pension—although most know her to be a woman. Nadezhda dies with military honors and has a statue erected in her honor posthumously. Prior to military service, she had led quite a different life. Her country's acceptance of her decision to live as a man is astounding.

Punch on the Portico, the social culmination to the day, is becoming a Hillwood tradition, providing guests an opportunity to meet with speakers and performers while mingling on the luscious Lunar Lawn. This year's activities also again include the opportunity to go “behind the scenes” to view rooms open to the public on this day ONLY! These include the Ladies’ Powder Room, the Massage Room, the Snooze Room, and the English Bedroom.

The Straight Eights Car Club will be providing a beautiful 1963 Cadillac Sedan DeVille to add a vintage flair to the Motor Court. Its smooth lines mimic the body type of Mrs. Post’s 1964 Cadillac Custom Series 75 Limousine, harkening back to the days of Mrs. Post's residence at Hillwood.

Guests with gardening and outdoor interests will have ample opportunity to practice their putting skills on Mrs. Post’s Putting Green and take garden walks with horticulture staff. Throughout the day, curators will lead various gallery talks, highlighting the many areas and aspects of the Mansion, collections, and Mrs. Post’s fascinating life. Family activities include fun hands-on workshops and special performances.

The Fifth Annual Gay Day is $15 for the general public, $7 for students, and free for children.  Reservations are required and can be made by calling 1.877.HILLWOOD or visiting www.hillwoodmuseum.org. For additional press information, please contact Jennifer A. Yeager at 202.243.3918 or jyeager@hillwoodmuseum.org.

4155 Linnean Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
Reservations 202.686.5807
Toll Free 1.877. HILLWOOD
Office 202.686.8500

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