Chesterwood, summer home and studio of sculptor Daniel Chester French, celebrated its 50th anniversary as a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation with a garden party benefit on Saturday, June 1. The festive evening opened under a party tent on the studio lawn with hors d’oeuvres by SoMa Catering of West Stockbridge and remarks from Carrie Villar of the National Trust for Historic Preservation; Michael Lynch, Chair of the Chesterwood Advisory Council; Anita Walker, Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council; and Donna Hassler, Executive Director of Chesterwood. In her remarks, Walker said that the Council supports the cultural landscape in every corner of Massachusetts and especially in the Berkshires, where there are so many cultural treasures. She noted that Chesterwood is an extraordinarily rare and precious property, adding, “The first time I came here, I knew that this was something special.” Party guests were treated to "A Moveable Feast of the Arts," featuring Dances by Isadora-Boston in the studio garden; tableaux vivant on the residence porch; and master figurative sculptor Marc Richard Mellon working with a live model in the studio. Works by Mellon and sculptor Babette Bloch were on display in the studio and gardens and were offered for sale with proceeds benefiting Chesterwood.

Lauren Smith with Pam Sandler, architect, and Rae McGann.
Margaret Cherin, manager of Marketing and Business Operations at Chesterwood and Anastasia Stanmeyer, editor of Berkshire Magazine.
Carrie Villar, Interim Vice President of Historic Sites, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Michael Lynch, Chair of the Chesterwood Advisory Council.
Deana Lobellett, Barbara Guido and Tara Kimberley.
Markus Weinfurter and Doria Bramante portrayed Daniel Chester French and his wife, Mary.
The studio was designed for French in 1897 by Henry Bacon, architect of the Lincoln Memorial.
Among the public monuments designed by French, he is best known for the statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. This detail of the work in progress is on view in his studio.
Master figurative sculptor Marc Richard Mellon worked with model Juniper Shalles in French's studio during the benefit.
Mellon's bronze sculpture "Apollo" was on view and for sale in the Chesterwood studio.
Laser-cut stainless steel sculptures by Babette Bloch were on display and for sale in the studio garden.
Party guests were treated to tableaux vivant on the porch of the residence as part of the evening's "Moveable Feast of the Arts."
Chesterwood Executive Director Donna Hassler said in her opening remarks that 'French loved a party.' He designed the frame used in the event's tableaux vivant.
The benefit's fundraiser was a raffle for a trip to the Lincoln Memorial and other historic sites in Washington, D.C. and a signed copy of Monument Man: The Life and Art of Daniel Chester French" by Lincoln historian, Harold Holzer.

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Written by
Nancy Macy