April 3rd, 2023
The Preservation Foundation Celebrated the “Golden Age of Palm Beach” for its 41st Annual Dinner Dance
On Friday, March 3rd, the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach stepped back in time for its 41st annual Dinner Dance themed to the “Golden Age of Palm Beach.” The evening celebrated the architectural, botanical, and cultural heritage of the Town of Palm Beach.
This year’s distinguished Chairmen included Pauline Pitt and Mish Tworkowski, who are both Trustees of the Preservation Foundation. Pitt, a long-standing philanthropist and icon in the community, is currently Chairman Emeritus of the Foundation. Tworkowski, the renowned fine jewelry designer, relocated his New York City studio to Palm Beach in 2021 and has garnered a discerning international following for his extraordinary designs. A Junior Chairman was also named for the first time: Palm Beach native Callie Baker Holt.
The Dinner Dance recalled the glamour of the 1920s with creative direction by design impresario Ken Fulk. He is a celebrated interior designer, who has been recognized by Architectural Digest’s AD 100, Elle Décor’s A-List and has been nominated for a James Beard Award for restaurant design. Floral and event designer extraordinaire, Lewis Miller, who opened a studio in Palm Beach last year, executed the vision with impressive floral displays and exceptional details that wowed guests in attendance.
The event took place in Bradley Park for the third time since the organization began holding its gala in the park in 2020 (event was virtual in 2021). The waterfront park serves as the site of the town-serving beautification project that the Preservation Foundation completed in 2018. As guests arrived, two vintage Rolls Royces flanked the gated entrance of the grand tent where flappers greeted them. During the cocktail hour, dramatic black and white historic images were on display from past Preservation galas featuring notable guests such as CZ Guest, Rose Kennedy and Carrie Louise Gurnee Munn. The Chairs worked with the Preservation Foundation’s archivist, Marie Penny, to carefully select these historic images.
After cocktails, patrons dined and danced in a glamorous tent draped in golden fabrics with magnificent chandeliers glowing overhead. The 13-piece band, Simply Irresistible, provided entertainment for the evening.
Amanda Skier, President & CEO of the Preservation Foundation welcomed guests and commented about the extraordinary generosity of the evening: “We can’t thank our supporters enough. Their generous donations will help us continue our mission to protect and celebrate the island’s iconic architecture and natural beauty.” She touched on the ongoing and important work of the incredible Phipps Ocean Park redevelopment that will restore the Town’s oldest historic landmark and create a model for environmental education and design that will guide future development on the island.
Pitt added that this was her fifth time chairing the Dinner Dance and was proud to serve as Chair again. “It is an utmost privilege for me to dedicate my time to the mission of the Preservation Foundation in safeguarding what makes Palm Beach so special.” She remarked on how delightful it was to see so many familiar faces at the event but also new guests “who understand the importance of the island’s unique sense of place and how it must endure long into the future.” After expressing sincere gratitude to all the donors, she introduced Tworkowski as a first time Chair of the gala.
He echoed Skier and Pitt’s sentiments and shared a charming story about the evening’s program design that featured imagery from the guest book of Amado, the Addison Mizner-designed house of Charles A. Munn (Pitt’s grandfather) built in 1919 in Palm Beach. During the 1920s, 30s and 40s, visitors to the ocean-front house signed the guestbook and many of the ladies would kiss the book including the illustrious Duchess of Windsor and the film actress Mary Duncan.
Sponsors of the Dinner Dance included Mish Fine Jewelry, Schumacher, Stubbs & Wootton, and White Elephant Palm Beach.
The 2023 Dinner Dance raised a record-breaking $2.1 million. 100% of the proceeds from the event benefit the Foundation’s education programs and advocacy efforts.
More About Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach
The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach protects and celebrates the architectural, botanical, and cultural heritage of Palm Beach. Through advocacy initiatives, educational programs, architectural resources, and cultural events, the Foundation’s goal is to inspire the community to learn about and protect the places that make Palm Beach special.
Over the past 43 years, the Preservation Foundation has undertaken numerous projects throughout the island that protect the heritage and enhance the beauty of Palm Beach. Millions of dollars have been raised to restore historic resources like Sea Gull Cottage, Town Hall and Bradley Park. Projects such as Pan’s Garden have fostered a deeper appreciation for the island’s botanical heritage. The Preservation Foundation’s latest campaign to redevelop Phipps Ocean Park will restore the Town’s oldest historic landmark and create a model for environmental education and design that will guide future development on the island. Designed by renowned landscape architect Raymond Jungles and the award-winning architecture firm of Fairfax & Sammons, the plans will make the 20-acre coastal park more accessible and gracious as a recreational facility while increasing its usefulness as a resource for both cultural and botanical heritage. More details can be learned at www.palmbeachpreservation.org.
Photos by BFA
