Garden City Historical Society Evening Walking Tour of Historical Homes Drew a Crowd

Over 100 people enjoyed the annual Evening Walking Tour of Historical Garden City Houses sponsored by The Garden City Historical Society on an unseasonably mild, moonlit night. Following a brief hiatus, the tours began again, three years ago.

This year the evening began at the Mercer School of Theology at 65 Fourth Street, between Cathedral and Rockaway Avenues. The school was filled with tour-goers who enjoyed seeing the beautiful portraits of past bishops and other dignitaries, and to admire the chapel of the Episcopal school of theology.

The tour featured buildings on the campus of the Cathedral of the Incarnation: the former Bishop's residence (the See House) which consists of four floors, the Carriage House that has never been open to the public, and the Cathedral itself.  Stuart Newby was kind enough to give the tour for the See House and Carriage House while the Cathedral tour was given by very knowledgeable Charles Janoff.

Right Reverend Lawrence Provenzano, Bishop of the Diocese of Long Island remarked, ”We are so happy for residents of Garden City to experience the history of this place, the center of our liturgical life of the diocese.”

Two lovely historic homes were also on the tour within steps of the Cathedral. The “White House”, located on Rockaway Avenue had a dazzling white color theme throughout both the exterior and interior of the grand home. The Third Street home, built in the 1920s, featured many of the home’s original architectural details and charming period furnishings.

Immediately following the tour, a Yuletide Champagne Reception was held at the candlelit Garden City Historical Society Museum. People came for a glass of champagne or wine and enjoyed a buffet of exotic cheeses and holiday desserts while being treated to the wonderful brass and string ensemble of George Efthimou and friends.

The A.T. Stewart Exchange, (the society’s consignment shop on the museum’s lower level), was open during the reception for browsing and shopping. The event was a great way to kick off holiday shopping.

Kris Harder, Executive Director of the Exchange said, “The fur coat sales were especially fabulous that evening, and included several high end designer sable and chinchilla coats which sold at deeply discounted special event sale prices. The Garden City Historical Society is very proud of our local heritage with our beautiful, historic homes and buildings that are still intact. We are so proud to share them with the residents.”

Albert Intreglia, president of The Garden City Historical Society said, “By all measures the tour was a huge success.  We are so thankful to our event chairs Joe Stanco and Maureen McConnell, to our vice president and special events chairperson, Mary Mahoney, and to Beth Watras, trustee of the society, all worked tirelessly on the event.  Joe’s very popular, numbered candy canes,  which were used to identify the various tour groups, became coveted souvenirs.  The lanterns and 100 luminaries lining the path between the Cathedral and the former Bishop’s residence and the Museum decked out in its best holiday décor all blended so well – resulting in a truly magical evening. Special thanks to our A. T. Exchange executive director, Kris Harder, who worked so hard networking in her effort to secure the houses for the tour! We are looking forward to other collaborative efforts with the Cathedral folks in thefuture.”

The Society’s A. T. Stewart Exchange (consignment shop), on the lower level of the Museum, offers unique items for sale and is run by volunteers.  The shop (516.746.8900) is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Parking is available behind the Museum. Please visit the Society’s website at www.gardencityhistoricalsociety.org.