Ellen Bruzelius, the Executive Director of the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, is welcoming me to a delightful evening event held Thursday, May 21. This is one of the cultural treasures of New York, but I had never been before. The history goes back to the early days of New York in the 1600’s and the Mansion itself was built in 1836. Now part of Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx, this Mansion was once part of a stretch of elegant residences along the coast in what was then rural countryside but is now within the City limits. The gardens are in the process of being restored and I plan to return in warmer weather to re-visit this marvelous discovery. Following the talk, there was a lovely reception and book signing in the elegant Orangerie, part of the Mansion. We had a lively audience and Charlie and I had the added delightful surprise of seeing dear friends met on recent travels to Italy. A reunion as well as a book talk!