Raynham Hall Museum held its annual Garden Party at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Sherrell J. Aston on Saturday, June 29. More than 100 people enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at “Land’s End,” the Astons’ beautiful Lattingtown country home, which was remodeled by Walker and Gillette in 1926.
This year’s garden party was a “great success,” according to Theresa Skvarla. In the past, she says the garden party has been a different format, where they showed three gardens at different locations, whereas this year, it was a single location combining the showing of the magnificent 30-acre property, which includes exquisite historic gardens designed by the Frederick Law Olmstead firm, overlooking Long Island Sound, along with a cocktail party for guests to mingle.
The property’s pool house was designed three decades ago by Raynham Hall Museum’s Board President John Collins; he asked them if they wanted to show it. The home is historic, as is Raynham Hall, and was originally a mid-19 century home that was extensively remodeled in 1926 for banker Harvey B. Gibson. Land’s End has been the Aston family home for the past 30 years.
Guests were invited to stroll the gardens, enjoying one of the most extraordinary views on the North Shore. The delicious hors d’oeuvres were provided by GREENPEAR Catering. Michael Goudket, Kirk Larsen, William Jonas and Frank Olt offered their artwork in a silent auction to benefit the Raynham Hall Museum, Oyster Bay’s historic house and garden, dating from the Colonial and Victorian eras and home to Robert Townsend, a spy for General George Washington.
“We couldn’t have asked for a more gracious family, Dr. and Mrs. Sherrell J. Aston, to help us support Raynham Hall Museum,” said Harriet Gerard Clark, Raynham Hall director. “Their home, called Land’s End, set on 30 glorious acres, was a magnificent setting. Everyone was in awe of the beautiful gardens and view of Long Island Sound.”
