By Judy Carmack Bross
Gilded Gala Chair Joe Gromacki and Driehaus Museum CEO Lisa Key, right, welcome the evening’s honorees and ardent preservationists Barbi and Tom Donnelley
While streaming audiences anticipate season three of “The Gilded Age” and New Yorkers point to Beaux Arts architect Stanford White, Chicago’s Driehaus Museum gloriously celebrates this age of late 19th century opulence–given its name by Mark Twain’s 1873 novel—and named their gala after it. The recent Gilded Gala benefitted the museum’s expanded public engagement and outreach programs and centered on the theme of “Preserving the Future”.
Celebrating the Gilded Age
Dancers on the stairwell of the Nickerson Mansion. Photo by Jeremy Lawson.
Completed in 1883 at the height of the Gilded Age, the former Nickerson Mansion which houses the Driehaus Museum has been meticulously restored and has recently expanded to a museum campus by the restoration of the 1926 Murphy Auditorium next door.
Nationally recognized preservationist Joseph Gromacki who chaired the Gilded Gala, told us:
“Our Gilded Gala for the Driehaus Museum was a tremendous success. We raised funds to help us preserve our future and expand our educational and free programming initiatives. I am incredibly grateful to the Donnelleys and all those who participated in the grand event for their generosity, which will ensure the continuation of our free Wednesdays, our educational partnerships, and keeping the Driehaus Museum a unique and vital part of Chicago’s present and future.”
Gala Chair Joe Gromacki with the evening’s honorees, preservationists and philanthropists Barbi and Tom Donnelley.
Dancers Brendan Fernandes, Samantha Lim Achatz, Jason Cast, Zach Whittenburg
“A few highlights included the honoring of the incredible preservation legacy of Barbi and Tom Donnelley, the celebration of the work of Brendan Fernandes, whose choreography recognized the unique historic spaces in the Driehaus Museum, and we heard inspiring words about the Driehaus Museum’s future from our Executive Director, Lisa M. Key, and our Board Chair Zach Lazar. And we ate, drank, and were very merry!
Gary Metzner, Scott Johnson, Joe Gromacki, Nora Daley. Photo by Jeremy Lawson
Gromacki continued:
“The event marked a high point in the history of the Driehaus Museum, which fills a unique niche in the cultural landscape of our city. We celebrated all that the museum has achieved to date and all that we aspire to accomplish going forward. I am so proud of this special institution.”
“Historic preservation has been a guiding force in my life. Our built environment is an embodiment of our shared history, and this has shaped the way we view the world and how we understand ourselves. In many contexts we have witnessed the role that preservation tools have played in revitalization of communities, placemaking and economic development. What drives this work is of course community.
Larry Fields, Marilyn Fields, Nina Yung, Brant Yung
The grandchildren of Barbi and Tom Donnelley
“I first met Barbi and Tom over 25 years ago, when we were all involved with the National Trust Council, a support arm for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We traveled around the country together, a couple times a year, to see historic preservation in action in different places, with a view towards bringing those ideas and strategies back to our own Chicago community.
Gerry Adelmann and Gus Noble
Sheena Rayford and Nicholas Rayford
“With Tom’s steadfast support and encouragement every step of the way, Barbi nearly single-handedly led the effort to preserve an important historic structure in Lockport, Illinois, which had played a pivotal role in the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. This preservation effort led to a robust revitalization of the entire community. The impact has been truly remarkable.”
Driehaus Board Member Gary Metzner and Anne Kaplan
Greg Gallopoulos, Allison and Stephen Schmitt
Guests began their evening in the Museum’s Nickerson Mansion, where they enjoyed light bites and cocktails, the musicians from the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and an activation of the historic space by dancers who were choreographed by multi- disciplinary artist Brendan Fernandes.
Brian Hieggelke, Greg Thompson, Jan Hieggelke, Driehaus Board Member Greg Cameron, Katy O’Malley
Lady Elinor and Sir Peter Crane
Dinner and program followed in the Murphy Auditorium, bedecked with floral arrangements by Flower Child. A video highlighted the Donnelleys’ work in preserving the Gaylord Building in Lockport, Crown Hall on the IIT campus, a stained glass window at Second Presbyterian Church which honors her ancestor, early Chicago settler and industrialist Silas Cobb, and their grant program through Preservation Illinois.
Victor Mongin, Nicholas Smith, Sally-Ann Felgenhauer, Stephanie Cristello, MichaelGdizitko, Abby Pucker, Leah Israel
Adam Bush and Lisa Yung Lee
Photos by Robin Subar except where indicated by Jeremy Lawson. For more information about the Driehaus Museum, visit driehausmuseum.org
