On June 12, 2021, friends and supporters were invited to a Garden Party at Andalusia Historic House and Gardens! Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while taking in breathtaking views of the Delaware River, and blooms at Andalusia Historic House and Gardens.
An enchanted evening where the weather cooperated majestically, guests had the rare opportunity to stroll the grounds during evening hours among the colorful spring blooms. All proceeds benefited the Annual Fund of The Andalusia Foundation, the nonprofit that works to preserve the gardens and buildings of this National Historic Landmark.
Ted and Carol Neilson, Villanova
John and Sally Simkiss with Charles Keats
The “Big House” Reopened for Guided Tours | June 21, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. On Monday, June 21, 2021, Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum reopened the Biddle family’s early 19th-century Greek Revival home to guided tours for the 2021 season. The “Big House” has been closed since the spring of last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Visitors will be able to purchase tickets for small, guided tours of the “Big House” that will begin at designated times.
They will also have self-guided access to the 65-acre estate’s stunning native woodlands and spectacular formal gardens before and after their tour of the National Historic Landmark. This Bucks County riverfront estate, located just 13 miles from Philadelphia, is an ideal day trip for those looking to spend time outdoors with plenty of space for social distancing.
Cost: Public tours with self-guided access to the gardens are $15. Guided house tours can be added to public tour tickets for an additional $5.
Steve Zettler, Cordelia Biddle, June Smith and Eileen Stoveld
In 2016, Prince Albert of Monacopurchased his late mother’s Philadelphia home. “It feels good,” he told People magazine of buying the Pennsylvania property. “I’m very happy to have saved this old family home from a near certain death or development.”
The ESU was formally organized in the United States in 1920 and arose from the conviction of its founder, Sir Evelyn Wrench and a group of like-minded American and British friends, that maintenance of the close personal and national ties forged during World War I was necessary for the preservation of peace.
The ESU celebrates English as a shared language to foster global
understanding and good will by providing educational and cultural
opportunities for students, educators, and members.
The Kelly Family was kind enough to host this years event, which was held under a tent in the expansive backyard. Princess Grace of Monaco’s childhood home was also opened for tours on a few of the floors for all to see. It is not a museum as many thought, but a residence where family members live. Although there is access on special occasions.
Andy and Debbie Webster,Mary Darlington co-chairs, with hosts Alexandra Golaszewska and J.B. Kelly and Steve Darlington, co-chair
Princess Grace’s mother John B. Kelly, built the six-bedroom, 4,000-square-foot home, which would later become the place where Prince Rainier III of Monaco proposed to then-actress Grace Kelly, in this very room.
Thank you to Alexandra Golaszewska, who along with J.B. Kelly I have known socially for several years, who gave me a tour of the house, even the nooks and crannies explaining all the beautiful artifacts on display.
Princess Graces’ mom would sew these labels in the children’s clothes
Princess Grace’s writing desk has a photo of Prince Rainier III of Monaco, Princess Grace and her two oldest children Caroline, Princess of Hanover and Albert II, Prince of Monaco . Along with a magazine with The Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on the cover. Inside is also a story on the Kelly Home) Natanya DiBona, co-host of Le Dîner en Blanc touring the house. There’s a preview party June 11, and the public is invited to attend. It’s there they will announce the date of the annual August event for Philadelphia. The event is free but you must register.The Living Room
Prince Albert II of Monaco is very concerned about the environment and has created The Prince Albert II Foundation (Official name: Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco is a Monaco -based charity which has donated millions in various environmental projects. The Foundation was initially created in 2006 by Prince Albert II of Monaco and it concentrates on environmental protection
Some of the guests at the Garden Party
The highlight of the garden party was the singing of the National Athem, the toast to Queen Elizabeth for her 93rd birthday and a lively auction to raise additional funds for the ESU education mission.
Max Yillah discusses the National Shakespeare competition, and how he came in 2nd Place. Congrats that’s huge. Second Prize: Scholarship and airfare to attend the American Shakespeare Center Theatre Camp
Max Yillah, a Philadelphia area high school student won the annual Shakespeare contest, which allowed him to compete in the National Shakespeare Competition in NYC. High school students nationwide read, analyze, perform and recite Shakespearean monologues and sonnets in three qualifying stages: school, ESU Branch and national.
Claire Boasi Brian Morris and Marjorie Morris, Board Member
Look for additional photos on CBSPhilly, as well as Philly Style Magazine later this week.
Teal Butterfly is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to raise awareness about the early signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer by educating the public through community events and social media campaigns
