The French Heritage Society (FHS) welcomed nearly 240 guests to its fourth annual Summer Soirée at the Bridgehampton, NY, home of Maria and Kenneth Fishel. Inspired by the elegance of Provence in Summer, the evening brought together philanthropists, preservationists, and friends of France in support of FHS’s mission to preserve French architectural and cultural heritage. The evening was the most successful Summer Soirée, raising significant funds to support French Heritage Society’s restoration grants, student internships, and educational programming. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit FHS’s New York Chapter, supporting three preservation grants in 2026: Lyndhurst in Tarrytown, and Villa Albertine and St. Bartholomew’s Church in New York City.
Jennifer Herlein, Kenneth Fishel, Maria Fishel, Rosanne Gutman (Photo Credit: PMC / Jared Siskin)
The unforgettable soirée was chaired by CeCe Black, Maria Fishel, Rosann Gutman, and Ann Van Ness. Esteemed guests included FHS Trustees Jennifer Farrell, Kenneth Hausman, Brenda Howard, and Jean Shafiroff, as well as Benefactor supporters Patricia Cossutta Arostegui and Puly Rincon, Elena Ayot, Nelly Azar Lumia, Elizabeth Belfer, Bettina Bennett, Lee Black, Melanie Boude, Geoffrey Brooke and Margaret Kurtz, Sharon Bush and Bob Murray, Yann Coatanlem and James G. Brooks, Laura Codman and John Terwilliger, Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane, Francine Crocker, Noreen Donovan, Galina Fendikevich, Kenneth Fishel, Rodrigo Gamboa, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Nurit Kahane Haase, Catherine and Kenneth Higgins, Bruce Horten, James D. Howard, Franklin Lane, Leonard Lane, Marcela Margo Moore, Janice and Thomas Pecora, Brandon Pena, Julissa Perez, Kathy Prounis, Renata Sanfilippo, Martin Shafiroff, Elizabeth Steimberg and David Weiner, Lauren Summa, Amanda Taylor, Bill Van Ness, Suzie and Pierre Villere, and Carole Bellidora Westfall and David Hayes.
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- Kenneth Fishel, Maria Fishel (Photo Credit: PMC / Jared Siskin)
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- Charles Chemin, Stewart F. Lane, Bonnie Comley, Elise Herget (Photo Credit: PMC / Jared Siskin)
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- Jennifer Farrell, Julie Wald, Beth Gittleman, Josette Winograd (Photo Credit: PMC / Jared Siskin)
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- Olivia Boude, Melanie Boude (Photo Credit: PMC / Jared Siskin)
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- Jean Shafiroff (Photo Credit: PMC / Jared Siskin)
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- Katrina Peebles (Photo Credit: PMC / Jared Siskin)
Additional guests included: Jacques Acoca and Ruth Miller, Chris Arlotta, Candace Bushnell, Talia Carner, Alexandra and Bradley Fishel, Veronique Gabai, Sylvia Hemingway, Laya Indukuri and Aravind Srinivasan, Becky Bayless and Frédéric de Joybert, Cheri Kaufman, Suzan Kremer, Christine Miller Martin, Aryan Nair and Solome Sommer, Alberto Mariaca, Lauren and Bob Roberts, Paula and Robert Smalley, Stephanie Smart, Alexandra Staton, Julie Wald, Andrea Wernick, Preston Wilson, Josette Winograd, and Pamela Wright.
Guests were welcomed by Maria and Kenneth Fishel, CeCe Black, Rosann Gutman, Ann Van Ness, and FHS Executive Director Jennifer Herlein.
With record attendance and fundraising, this year’s Summer Soirée reflected French Heritage Society’s growing momentum and expanding community of supporters.
Generous support was provided by Champagne EPC, Veronique Gabai, Maison Gabrielle, Société de la Rassi, and JOG Editions, with art on the table by Christofle, Baccarat and SFERRA. Revel Rouge founder Hank Stampfl created the evening’s distinctive Provençal ambiance, while French-American vocalist Quentin Bruno, featured on The Voice: La plus belle voix, joined by Danny Lipsitz & The Brass Tacks, brought guests to the dance floor.
2026 Summer Soirée charitable gathering cultural philanthropy French culture French heritage French Heritage Society French traditions historic preservation society events summer soirée
Last modified: October 11, 2026
