French Heritage Society Celebrates Reopening Of Notre-Dame Cathedral At ‘Celestial Ball’ In New York

On Friday, November 15, the French Heritage Society hosted its annual Gala Dinner Dance – The Celestial Ball – at a private club in Manhattan. The evening celebrated the historic reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral and recognized the role Americans – both philanthropists and artisans – played in its restoration. Odile de Schiétère-Longchampt, interior designer and steadfast champion of FHS, was honored for her commitment to lifting up the tradition of French decorative arts by FHS Chairman Elizabeth F. Stribling. FHS Executive Director Jennifer Herlein honored Hank Silver, an American carpenter who spent eighteen months rebuilding the wooden roof framing of the cathedral’s nave. The latter gave a moving presentation about his experience that held the room rapt, followed by an exciting and successful live auction led by Nick Dawes, Vice President of Heritage Auctions. The festive evening concluded with dancing to the fabulous Bob Hardwick Sound.

Notre-Dame de Paris will reopen on December 8, with reopening festivities planned through June 2025. In 2019, only hours after the outbreak of the devastating fire that shocked the world, FHS launched its dedicated Notre-Dame Fire Restoration Fund, which raised close to $2.6 million for the restoration from more than 3,300 donors.

Guests were welcomed by Special Events Chair CeCe Black as well as President Denis de Kergorlay and Deputy Consul General of France in New York Myriam Gil. Special thanks were offered to Gala Chairmen Liz McDermott Barnes, Jean Shafiroff, and Ann Van Ness. They were joined by guests including FHS Board Members Timothy Corrigan, Christian Draz, Jennifer Farrell, Rosann Gutman, Brenda Howard, Isabelle de Laroulliere, Maureen M. Nash, George P. Sape, and Jacqueline Wilson, as well as Lee Black, Sharon Bush, and Bob Murray, Geoffrey Bradfield and William Featherby, Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane, Yann Coatanlem, Gigi Fisdell, Maria and Kenneth Fishel, Lee Fryd, Meera Gandhi, Penny Grant, Marifé Hernandez and Joel Bell, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Cheri Kaufman, Michael Kovner and Jean Doyen de Montaillou, Margo Langenberg, Pamela Morgan, Guy Robinson, Sandra Ripert, Sana Sabbagh, Susan Sarofim, Daisy Soros, Barbara Tober, William Van Ness, Rebecca and Stephen Whyte, and many more.

Proceeds from FHS’s events support its mission to ensure that the treasures of French architectural and cultural heritage survive to delight, educate, and inspire future generations.