As usual, it was the place to be: the annual Patrons’ Party for the Georgetown House Tour. The April 17 party at Dumbarton House would have made first lady Dolley Madison — who fled there as the British burned the White House in 1814 — feel right at home
A delightful evening added to the easy grace of the party and happy, talkative crowd at the historic Q Street home. So much so that Rev. Gini Gerbasi, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church, beneficiary of the tour, had to yell a little louder to get people’s attention for a brief presentation.
Patrons’ Party co-chairs Puja Parekh and Blair Wunderlich thanked the party-goers and tour supporters, as Georgetown House Tour co-chairs Azali Kassum and Donna Leanos thanked the homeowners who will open their places for Saturday’s tour. Remembering the Patrons’ Party founder Frida Burling, the group presented Kelly Andreae of Georgetown Ministry Center with the Frida Burling Community Service Award.
The party lingered well past the twilight’s last gleaming. Mrs. Madison would have approved.
The Georgetown House Tour is on Saturday, April 20.
Click on gallery below to enlarge photos.
Dumbarton House on Q Street in Georgetown. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Georgetown House Tour co-chair Donna Leanos greets Melissa and Dale Overmyer, whose S Street home is on the tour. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Kate Michael with Lindley Richardson and guest. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Jackie Pletcher and Janet Whitman greet new Georgetown homeowner. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Rachel Shank of Georgetown Main Street and Brittany Sawyer of the Citizens Association of Georgetown. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Past Georgetown House Tour co-chair Hannah Isles. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Julia and Marcus Leanos. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Patron’s Party co-chairs Blair Wunderlich and Puja Parekh. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
The Rev. Gini Gerbasi, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church, beneficiary of the tour. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Kelly Andreae of Georgetown Ministry Center was presented the Frida Burling Community Service Award by Georgetown House Tour co-chairs Azali Kassum and Donna Leanos. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Kelly Andreae of Georgetown Ministry Center and Georgetown House Tour co-chair Donna Leanos. Michelle Roman set up the popular Champagne bar. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Joe and Rev. Gini Gerbasi with Beth and Don Larson. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Anita Kulkarni, Ashley Burke and Archna Mehta. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Bill Moody, Dana Landry and Tom Anderson of Washington Fine Properties. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Michelle Roman set up the popular Champagne bar. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.
First lady Dolley Madison sought refuse in Georgetown as the British set fire to the White House in 1814. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey of Fritz PhotoGraphics.