Lilac Girls Event at the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden

Join New York Times bestselling author Martha Hall Kelly on Saturday, July 14th at the lovely Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Caroline Ferriday’s Connecticut Home!

Lilac Girls is based on the true story of social philanthropist Caroline Ferriday, who worked at the French consulate during World War II. It focuses on Caroline’s work as a member of the French Resistance and her interest in the fate of the “lapins” (rabbits) - female political prisoners subjected to medical testing at the Nazi’s Ravensbrück concentration camp.

In 1957, Caroline began her crusade to bring 35 of the surviving 53 women to the United States to have restorative medical attention. In her debut novel, Martha transforms the horrors and inhumanities of war into a story of sisterhood and perseverance.

Experience the Hay, Caroline’s beloved Connecticut home, through her eyes as you tour her house and enjoy a special landscape walk focusing on the Ferridays’ horticultural design and garden history. Caroline and her mother designed the garden to feature the sequential blooming of specimen magnolias, lilacs, peonies, and roses. Meet Martha Hall Kelly in Caroline’s kitchen and have her sign your book. Visit www.ctlandmarks.org for available tour times.

Then join us at Bethlehem’s Memorial Hall to enjoy light refreshments and shop artisan vendors, followed by an author presentation with question and answer session from 3 to 5 pm. Martha will discuss Lilac Girls, including her research process, and where she took artistic license. Get insight into Martha’s next book about Caroline and her mother Eliza coming Spring 2019.

Individual Tickets are $50/$40 for CTL Members. Patron Tickets are $100/$90 CTL Members, which includes Lilac Girls hardcover book, a keepsake of the Bellamy-Ferriday House by Woodbury Pewter in honor of Caroline Ferriday’s charitable work with Ravensbrück concentration camp survivors, premier seating for author presentation, and an additional tax-deductible contribution.

Limited availability; registrations required by Friday, July 9th. Purchase tickets by visiting www.ctlandmarks.org or calling 860.247.8996 x 23. For more information on Martha Hall Kelly and her work, visit www.marthahallkelly.com.

The Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden is located at 9 Main Street North, Bethlehem, CT. It is open for tours May through October. For hours and more information, visit www.ctlandmarks.org.

About Connecticut Landmarks

Connecticut Landmarks’ mission is to inspire interest and encourage learning about the American past by preserving selected historic properties, collections and stories and presenting programs that meaningfully engage the public and our communities. For more information, please visit www.ctlandmarks.org.

Photos:

Book Signing & Author Presentation with Martha Hall Kelly. Photo by Defining Studios, courtesy of Connecticut Landmarks.