President's Letter

March 2025

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This year at Durand-Hedden has already been exciting, starting with the Open Hearth Cooking demonstration in January, always a favorite among our visitors.

 

Professor Hettie Williams provided a fascinating exploration of the important role that Black women in New Jersey played – and continue to play – in the Civil Rights Movement.

 

In March we learned from historian Rebecca Boggs Roberts about how Edith Wilson secretly served as President for eight months while her husband, Woodrow Wilson, was recovering from a massive stroke.

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In April, we’ll welcome dendrochronologist Michael Cuba, who will talk about the wealth of information gained from exploration of the 18th-century wood framing timbers of the Durand-Hedden House, and what dendrochronology – tree-ring investigation – can teach us about our environment and our buildings. 

 

Coming on May 18th is a presentation and exhibit about famed park designer Frederick Law Olmsted and his relationship with philosophy and artists of the Hudson River School – including our own Asher B. Durand. 

 

On Saturday, June 14th, for the sixth time, we will collaborate with the SOMA Community Coalition on Race to remember Juneteenth and explore the history, music and culture of our Black community.

 

Keep your eye on this website to learn more about each event.

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Gail Safian, President, Durand-Hedden House & Garden Association