We are happy to announce that starting Thursday, December 19, visitors will be introduced to Hillwood with an updated orientation film. This new film is timed to the release of the biography Marjorie Merriweather Post: The Life Behind the Luxury, extending the story beyond Post’s collecting to her role as a philanthropist, businessperson, and cultural leader. The update also provides the opportunity to highlight parts of the Hillwood experience that were underrepresented in the 2000 film. For instance, Post applied her connoisseurship not just to the decorative arts, but also to the jewelry and apparel she collected, which were important components of her self-presentation. The orientation film now beautifully features more of these aspects of the collection. The updated film also provides a greater sense that Hillwood is a distinctive oasis and immersive experience, offering lush and colorful views of the gardens in different seasons. Finally, though not originally a goal of the update, the new film is under eleven minutes, which means we can show it every quarter hour, allowing more guests to integrate the film more seamlessly into their Hillwood visit. Please be sure to leave a little extra time on your next shift to enjoy the new film or watch on Hillwood’s website.

Happy viewing!