On Friday, November 15, 2024, the French Heritage Society (FHS) hosted its annual Gala Dinner Dance – The Celestial Ball – at an exclusive Manhattan venue. This year’s event marked a historic milestone: the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral. The evening celebrated the vital role of Americans – both philanthropists and artisans – in the cathedral’s restoration, highlighting cross-cultural collaboration and dedication to heritage preservation.
Odile de Schiétère-Longchampt, an acclaimed interior designer and FHS advocate, received special recognition from Chairman Elizabeth F. Stribling for her contributions to French decorative arts. Hank Silver, an American carpenter who dedicated 18 months to restoring Notre-Dame’s wooden nave framing, delivered a heartfelt presentation about his work. The event featured a live auction led by Nick Dawes, Vice President of Heritage Auctions, and concluded with dancing to the Bob Hardwick Sound.
Notre-Dame de Paris will officially reopen on December 8, 2024, with celebratory events continuing through June 2025. FHS launched its Notre-Dame Fire Restoration Fund in 2019, raising $2.6 million from over 3,300 donors to aid the cathedral’s recovery after the devastating fire.
Special guests included CeCe Black, FHS President Denis de Kergorlay, and Deputy Consul General of France Myriam Gil, along with gala co-chairs Liz McDermott Barnes, Jean Shafiroff, and Ann Van Ness. Attendees ranged from board members like Timothy Corrigan and Christian Draz to philanthropists such as Sharon Bush, Geoffrey Bradfield, and Barbara Tober.
Proceeds from the Celestial Ball further FHS’s mission to preserve and promote French architectural and cultural heritage. Over its history, FHS has awarded $15.8 million in grants to 687 historic properties in France and the United States. The organization also funds emergency restoration projects, such as the Notre-Dame effort and Hurricane Katrina recovery in New Orleans.
In addition to restoration, FHS emphasizes education, supporting transatlantic internships for 25 students annually and awarding the Richard Morris Hunt Prize to architects promoting cross-cultural exchange. Events hosted by FHS’s U.S. and Paris chapters, including annual galas in NYC, Palm Beach, and Paris, foster appreciation for French art de vivre while raising awareness of its preservation efforts.
Upcoming FHS Events:
- December 5, 2024: The Legacy of La Pausa, NYC Chapter Event, Colony Club
- February 16, 2025: Palm Beach Gala, Club Colette
- April 15, 2025: Palm Beach Luncheon, Swifty’s at The Colony
- May 20, 2025: Dîner des Mécènes, Paris
- July 18, 2025: Summer Soirée, Hamptons
To learn more, visit French Heritage Society.
