On behalf of the New Canaan Preservation Alliance, I would like to thank the community of New Canaan for the overwhelming support of the launch of my book Waveny: New Canaan’s Treasure. What a treat to have Christopher Lloyd return to his hometown of New Canaan for this family event, which helps build awareness of this unique historic estate that his mother gifted to the town in 1967.
Scenes from Waveny House on April 3, 2016, for the launch of “Waveny: New Canaan’s Treasure,” a children’s book by Arianne Kolb with illustrations by Nicole Johnson Murphy. The event was attended by the actor Christopher Lloyd, who grew up at Waveny from a very young age until he was in his late-20s, when in 1967 his mother Ruth Lapham Lloyd gifted the buildings and grounds that now form Wavey Park to the town. Credit: Eden Lucien Photography (edenlucienphotography.com)
Much thought went into producing this book by a small group of dedicated people, who all donated their time and expertise. First, I would like to thank the talented artist and illustrator Nicole Johnson Murphy for devoting over a year to working with me on this project, which was truly a labor of love for both of us. Julia O-Dowd brought the significant Herter Looms murals to life with her detailed photographs. Rose Scott Long’s photographs further highlighted many of the decorative elements in the house, while the graphic designer John Kearns and Robert La Banca of Impression Point packaged and printed the book beautifully. The funding of the book’s publication was made possible by the New Canaan Community Foundation and First Selectman Robert Mallozzi and the Town of New Canaan.
Scenes from Waveny House on April 3, 2016, for the launch of “Waveny: New Canaan’s Treasure,” a children’s book by Arianne Kolb with illustrations by Nicole Johnson Murphy. The event was attended by the actor Christopher Lloyd, who grew up at Waveny from a very young age until he was in his late-20s, when in 1967 his mother Ruth Lapham Lloyd gifted the buildings and grounds that now form Wavey Park to the town. Credit: Eden Lucien Photography (edenlucienphotography.com)
The sold-out event was sponsored by: Eugene Chun at CT Sandwich, George Dragone of Dragone Classic Motorcars, Tucker Murphy and Laura Budd at the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, Phil Williams at New Canaan Music, Kinsey Ferguson at Vineyard Vines, and the event photographer Eden Lucien with the assistance of Hans Neleman and Timothy Scranton. We are immensely grateful to our stellar media sponsor Michael Dinan at the New Canaanite for advertising the event for a month and covering it so thoroughly in four articles.
The New Canaan Preservation Alliance (NCPA) board members have been instrumental in working with the town for years to help preserve Waveny House and to list it on the National Register of Historic Places. One of the tangible results of the fundraising efforts of NCPA’s Waveny 100th Celebration in 2012, which Christopher Lloyd also attended, was the recent cleaning and restoration of the fireplace in the Main Hall. At the Book Launch, Rose Scott Long’s informative display boards described the restoration of the fireplace and the Herter Looms tapestry (researched by Mimi Findlay), as well as the transportation history of Waveny. The NCPA board members were out in full force welcoming and hosting guests at the event: Mimi Findlay, Rose Scott Long, Lesley Cousley, Neele-Banks Stichnoth, Richard Thomas, Lea Cromwell, Tonya Gwynn, Anne Matviak, Virva Kirvijarvi, and Carl Rothbart.
Scenes from Waveny House on April 3, 2016, for the launch of “Waveny: New Canaan’s Treasure,” a children’s book by Arianne Kolb with illustrations by Nicole Johnson Murphy. The event was attended by the actor Christopher Lloyd, who grew up at Waveny from a very young age until he was in his late-20s, when in 1967 his mother Ruth Lapham Lloyd gifted the buildings and grounds that now form Wavey Park to the town. Credit: Eden Lucien Photography (edenlucienphotography.com)
Steve Benko, the Recreation Director, who knows Waveny House inside out, not only provided us with background research information, but assisted with the logistics of the book launch, opened the house for the event, and allowed guests to view the library, which is usually under lock and key. Butch Landon was also a huge help in installing the art exhibit and preparing the house for us.
In addition to discovering more about the house through the book’s scavenger hunt, the guests enjoyed art in various incarnations. In one room, Torrance York’s exhibition of photographs of the Waveny landscape enlivened the house and provided an interesting juxtaposition with the historical photographs of the Lapham family. In the dining room, the art teacher Nancy Scranton organized and hosted the delightful children’s crafts (the classic candy cars were a hit!) with a team of tireless young volunteers: Antonia and Max Kolb, Maddie Iulo, Juliette, William and Oliver Murphy, and Waverly and Beckett York. It was wonderful to see the house teeming with young smiling faces. Instilling an appreciation of historic sites in our children is crucial, since they will be the future custodians of places like Waveny.
Thank-you to everyone, who made this event a truly memorable and magical experience.
With gratitude,
Arianne Faber Kolb
Board member, New Canaan Preservation Alliance