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Hillwood Museum & Gardens' 3rd Annual Gay Day
Washington, D.C. - Hillwood Museum & Gardens will present its 3rd
annual Gay Day, Saturday, August 14, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Hillwood
was the former estate of art collector and cereal heiress Marjorie
Merriweather Post. The museum opened in 1978 and holds the most
comprehensive collection of Russian imperial art outside of Russia,
features a world-renowned collection of eighteenth-century French
decorative arts, and rests on twenty-five acres, twelve of which are
magnificent formal gardens.
Hillwood began its formal outreach to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender (GLBT) community in June 2001, hosting a reception for
GLBT leaders in Washington's political and cultural communities. “Our
goal was to welcome this community, and let them know we valued their
participation as visitors to Hillwood and that our commitment was
sincere,” said Frederick J. Fisher, Hillwood's executive director.
Hillwood formed a GLBT advisory committee and hosted its first Gay Day
in August
2001. Ellen Willenbecher, deputy director for interpretation, noted,
“Gay Day is one of the ongoing and growing events that characterizes
the deepening relationship between Hillwood and the GLBT community. We
are most thankful to our GLBT advisory committee for their continued
support.”
Gay Day 2004 will feature programming that complements Hillwood's
Russian and French decorative arts and the life of Marjorie
Merriweather Post. It will also explore gay figures in Russian
history.
Program Highlights
The Rock Creek Singers
This ensemble of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C., returns for
its third year, by popular demand!
“Even in the Best Families: A Look at the Sexuality of Two Members
of the House of Romanov”
Nicholas Nicholson, former Russian specialist at Christie's, will
present a lecture on two gay members of the Romanov family—Grand Dukes
Konstantin Konstantinovitch and Sergei Alexandrovitch. Nicholson
promises a talk “involving diamonds, hemophilia, cross-dressing,
murder, and other intriguing topics.”
In the World of Mrs. Post
For a Gay Day exclusive, go behind the scenes in Mrs. Post's mansion
and visit her private rooms, including the English bedroom, the snooze
room, massage room, and ladies powder room.
Howard Kurtz, assistant curator for costume and textiles, will present
a gallery talk on dresses from Mrs. Post's 1935 wedding to Joseph E.
Davies in 1935, when fashions were art deco sleek!
In the Gardens
Horticulture specialist's Daniel Paterak and John Sonnier lead talks
on Hillwood's prized orchid collection and demonstrate how the formal
gardens are kept at their best.
From the Collections
A Madame Pompadour impersonator speaks on her beloved Louis XV and her
passion for Sèvres porcelain.
Tradition in Transition: Russian Icons in the Age of the Romanovs,
Hillwood's current temporary exhibition explores the evolution of the
Russian icon during the Romanov era.
For Families
Bring the kids for storytelling, jeweled frame making in Fabergé's
Workshop, “Meet the Romanovs” audio tour, and more!
Reservations required
Telephone: 202.686.5807
Web reservations and schedule:
www.hillwoodmuseum.org
$15 adults, $5 youth 18 years and younger
Estate open, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Programs, 2 p.m.–8 p.m.
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