It was wonderful to see so many volunteers join us live on January 29 for the Virtual Volunteer Business Meeting! As Hillwood prepares to welcome back both volunteers and visitors with our reopening tomorrow, Saturday, February 1, we’re eager and excited for the year ahead. To aid with your volunteer service, we’ve shared the video link to the Volunteer Business Meeting below, along with important updates on the upcoming special exhibition Setting Sail: The Story of the Sea Cloud and recent display changes in the mansion. We deeply appreciate the time and talent you bring to Hillwood and look forward to another fantastic year together!
Volunteer Business Meeting
The video of the Volunteer Business Meeting is now available on Hillwood’s volunteer website on the “2025 Lecture Videos” page. During the one-hour and 25-minute Zoom webinar, Hillwood’s senior management team presented a wealth of information on their department’s 2025 goals and projects as they relate to Hillwood’s strategic plan. The meeting concluded with an engaging and informative Q&A session. We strongly recommend those who could not attend live watch the recording.
2025 Volunteer Guest Passes
Be on the lookout for your volunteer guest passes, which were mailed today, Friday, January 31. If you don’t receive them within the next two weeks or so, please reach out to us at volunteers@hillwoodmuseum.org.
Mansion Display + Exhibition Updates
Hillwood’s Collections and Curatorial team has been hard at work this month, updating displays in the mansion and preparing for the special exhibition. Please read on for information about mansion display changes that occurred during the January closure and exhibition label texts.
Mansion Display Change: Kidney-Shaped Table in Dressing Room
During the January closure, the Collections and Curatorial team updated the display on the kidney-shaped table in the dressing room. The silver gilt and glass dressing table set by French silversmith Gustave Keller was removed and sent to storage. Dr. Wilfried Zeisler, deputy director and chief curator, selected a series of objects to set the table and reflect its use as a working station by Marjorie Merriweather Post. Please refer to this document for a photograph of Post’s workstation and a list of objects that were installed and removed.
Mansion Rotation and Exhibition Label Text
Hillwood’s special exhibition, Setting Sail: The Story of the Sea Cloud, will be on view in the dacha from February 15-June 15. Sea Cloud, the windjammer that was once the world’s largest sailing yacht that has lived many lives since its creation. Built by Marjorie Merriweather Post and her husband, E.F. Hutton, in the early twentieth century, the vessel went on to serve as a weather ship for the U.S. Coast Guard, and today survives as a luxury cruise liner. Explore the magnificent story of this seafarer from the 1930s to today through documents, photographs, models, decorative arts, paintings, and more.
For your reference, enjoy reading the exhibition label text and general mansion rotation information: Setting Sail and Mansion Displays: Label and Display Information.
Virtual Volunteer Lecture: Setting Sail: The Story of Sea Cloud
Tuesday, February 18, 6 p.m.
Mark your calendars for the upcoming virtual volunteer lecture presented by Thomas Wu, assistant curator of European decorative arts, highlighting Hillwood’s special exhibition Setting Sail: The Story of the Sea Cloud, opening February 15. The lecture hosted via Zoom will provide an overview the exhibition design and objects, followed by a live Q&A session with the curator. A Zoom link with the meeting instructions will be emailed closer to the program date. The virtual lecture will also be recorded, and the video link will be shared via email and posted on the volunteer website.
Thank you, as always, for your continued dedication and support. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to reach out.
We look forward to welcoming you all back to Hillwood!