Region: New York State Performers, Programmers & Related Resources for Public Libraries & Groups


Performer Information
Performer name:	Gary Lawrance
Phone:	631-689-1710
Mailing address:	9 orbit drive stony brook, ny 11790
E-mail address:	lawrance@optonline.net
Previous appearances at:	Locust Valley Library, Locust Valley, American Institute of Architects, LI Chapter, Rogers Memorial Library, Southampton, The Parrish Art Museum, Southampton, Nassua County Historical Society Contact information for New York State Public Libraries
Information last updated:	04/15/2011

Records 1-3 of 3

Program
Category
Description
Fee

Mrs. Astor's Fifth Avenue, Secret Splendors of the Gilded Age Genealogy,
History,
Other

In a period not so very long ago, there were once Palaces that lined New York’s Fifth Avenue from Washington Square to the upper reaches of the avenue built by some of the most prominent architects of the day for America’s newly rich Millionaires. While many were modeled after the palaces of Europe and were intended to last just as long, in less than 100 years since their creation many have vanished without anyone ever knowing of their secret splendors beyond their gilded doors. “Mrs. Astor’s Fifth Avenue” Secret Splendors of the Gilded Age, will focus upon these vanished examples of residential architecture and the stories behind the people that built them. At the parties that would in today’s dollars cost millions, great ladies attired in silken gowns from “Worth of Paris” wearing Marie Antoinette’s diamonds descended marble staircases, lit by footmen holding golden candelabras into gilded paneled reception halls to receive, New York Society’s “ 400” Amongst the palms, Rembrandts, crystal, gold and ancient velvets, the guests danced and plotted marriages to European Nobility, made inquiries into getting friends into the inner circle or to tell gossip to banish enemies.
$201- $350

Houses of the Hampton's, 1880-1930 History,
Museums,
Nature- Gardening

Houses of the Hampton’s, 1880 – 1930 The epitome of conspicuous consumption, of worldly glamour, of every pleasure, natural and unnatural, that only money can buy, the phenomenon we now know as “The Hamptons” encompasses the villages of Westhampton Beach, East Hampton, Bridgehampton, and Southampton. Here, descendents of colonial aristocracy, New York’s Livingstons, Delaware’s du Ponts, as well Manhattan’s most successful bankers, lawyers, and brokers—mingled with the colorful characters of the art colonies. These early Hamptonites built fashionable and expansive summer houses where they enjoyed carefree recreation, artistic endeavors, and elegant social occasions. HOUSES OF THE HAMPTONS, 1880–1930 explores more than 30 houses, many designed by some of America’s leading architects–McKim, Mead & White, John Russell Pope, Harrie T. Lindeberg. The great summer places of the Hamptons present an ensemble of exceptional architectural variety and achievement. Here, American Colonial, half-timbered Tudor, and red brick Georgian vie with shingled cottage and Mediterranean fantasy.HOUSES OF THE HAMPTONS recaptures the grace and beauty of an era long vanished.
$201- $350

Gatsbys Mansions History,
Literature- Authors

During a period from 1880-1930, known as the Gilded Age and ending with the Jazz Age, there were once vast estates with glorious mansions that sprawled along the North Shore of Long Island. These homes were built by some of the most prominent architects of the day for America’s newly rich Millionaires, such as the Astors, Vanderbilts, Whitneys, Phippss, Goulds, and many others, making it forever referred to as the “Gold Coast”.“Gatsby’s Mansions” will focus upon these examples of residential architecture and the stories behind the people that built them. At the parties that would in today’s dollars cost millions, orchestras played throughout the summer nights, alongside pink striped party tents set up on emerald green lawns stretching down to Long Island Sound, where white yachts glowed in the moonlight. Here also the throngs of fashionably dressed celebrants, enjoying their newfound wealth, danced and plotted marriages to European Nobility, made inquiries into getting friends into Society, or to tell gossip to banish enemies. It was amongst this world that F. Scott Fitzgerald played and was inspired to write his great American novel “The Great Gatsby”, basing many of his scenes on real people, places and parties.
$201- $350

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Records 1-3 of 3

* Inclusion in this database does not indicate endorsement of any performer or program by the NYS Education Department, the Office of Cultural Education, the NYS Library or the participating library systems, nor does it eliminate the need for reference checks and appropriate standard screening procedures.

Program	Category	Description	Fee
Mrs. Astor's Fifth Avenue, Secret Splendors of the Gilded Age	Genealogy, History, Other	In a period not so very long ago, there were once Palaces that lined New York’s Fifth Avenue from Washington Square to the upper reaches of the avenue built by some of the most prominent architects of the day for America’s newly rich Millionaires. While many were modeled after the palaces of Europe and were intended to last just as long, in less than 100 years since their creation many have vanished without anyone ever knowing of their secret splendors beyond their gilded doors. “Mrs. Astor’s Fifth Avenue” Secret Splendors of the Gilded Age, will focus upon these vanished examples of residential architecture and the stories behind the people that built them. At the parties that would in today’s dollars cost millions, great ladies attired in silken gowns from “Worth of Paris” wearing Marie Antoinette’s diamonds descended marble staircases, lit by footmen holding golden candelabras into gilded paneled reception halls to receive, New York Society’s “ 400” Amongst the palms, Rembrandts, crystal, gold and ancient velvets, the guests danced and plotted marriages to European Nobility, made inquiries into getting friends into the inner circle or to tell gossip to banish enemies.	$201- $350
Houses of the Hampton's, 1880-1930	History, Museums, Nature- Gardening	Houses of the Hampton’s, 1880 – 1930 The epitome of conspicuous consumption, of worldly glamour, of every pleasure, natural and unnatural, that only money can buy, the phenomenon we now know as “The Hamptons” encompasses the villages of Westhampton Beach, East Hampton, Bridgehampton, and Southampton. Here, descendents of colonial aristocracy, New York’s Livingstons, Delaware’s du Ponts, as well Manhattan’s most successful bankers, lawyers, and brokers—mingled with the colorful characters of the art colonies. These early Hamptonites built fashionable and expansive summer houses where they enjoyed carefree recreation, artistic endeavors, and elegant social occasions. HOUSES OF THE HAMPTONS, 1880–1930 explores more than 30 houses, many designed by some of America’s leading architects–McKim, Mead & White, John Russell Pope, Harrie T. Lindeberg. The great summer places of the Hamptons present an ensemble of exceptional architectural variety and achievement. Here, American Colonial, half-timbered Tudor, and red brick Georgian vie with shingled cottage and Mediterranean fantasy.HOUSES OF THE HAMPTONS recaptures the grace and beauty of an era long vanished.	$201- $350
Gatsbys Mansions	History, Literature- Authors	During a period from 1880-1930, known as the Gilded Age and ending with the Jazz Age, there were once vast estates with glorious mansions that sprawled along the North Shore of Long Island. These homes were built by some of the most prominent architects of the day for America’s newly rich Millionaires, such as the Astors, Vanderbilts, Whitneys, Phippss, Goulds, and many others, making it forever referred to as the “Gold Coast”.“Gatsby’s Mansions” will focus upon these examples of residential architecture and the stories behind the people that built them. At the parties that would in today’s dollars cost millions, orchestras played throughout the summer nights, alongside pink striped party tents set up on emerald green lawns stretching down to Long Island Sound, where white yachts glowed in the moonlight. Here also the throngs of fashionably dressed celebrants, enjoying their newfound wealth, danced and plotted marriages to European Nobility, made inquiries into getting friends into Society, or to tell gossip to banish enemies. It was amongst this world that F. Scott Fitzgerald played and was inspired to write his great American novel “The Great Gatsby”, basing many of his scenes on real people, places and parties.	$201- $350