The Pound Ridge Historical Society will open “Modern in Pound Ridge: 20th Century Architecture + Lifestyle” at the Pound Ridge Museum on April 23, 2017. Exhibition chair Jennifer Stahlkrantz says, “This is a real departure for the Society as the show will feature the town’s first comprehensive survey of Modern architecture—a part of our town’s history that has been largely neglected. We look forward to showing how Mid-century Modern designs changed the Pound Ridge landscape and influenced the Contemporary designs that followed.”
Forward-looking and optimistic, Mid-century Modernism combined efficiency, functionalism, simplicity, and a harmony with nature to create a new aesthetic. The movement arrived in Pound Ridge—a town with a reputation for embracing the independent-minded—in 1939, and from then until the early 1970s, at least 47 Mid-century Modern houses were built. Many of the people who built or bought them were young couples prominent in the art, advertising, and publishing world. Architects included Edward Larrabee Barnes, Peter Blake and Julian Neski, and David Henken. Modernism eventually gave way to post-Modern and Contemporary styles. The key figure in this transition was master builder Vuko Tashkovich, who built 28 houses in Pound Ridge.
The “Modern in Pound Ridge” celebration will kick off on Saturday, April 22, with a sold-out benefit luncheon at The Inn at Pound Ridge by Jean-Georges, followed by a private preview of the exhibition at the museum.
The public opening of “Modern in Pound Ridge” will follow the society’s brief annual meeting and reception on Sunday, April 23. The meeting will be held at 1 pm in Conant Hall, and the exhibition will be open to the public at the museum next door from 1:30 to 4 pm.
The “Modern in Pound Ridge” committee includes guest curators Gina Federico, Tom Andersen, and Carol Kurth as well as Deborah Benjamin, Xenia D’Ambrosi, Sharon Griffith, Rayanne Kleiner, Susan Grissom, Anne Sheehan, and Ellen Kearns. The video was produced and filmed by Katherine Benjamin.
The Pound Ridge Historical Society looks forward to hosting and supporting various Modern-related events throughout the year, including a Mad Men party on June 10 at Conant Hall and a lecture series. In addition, both the Pound Ridge Library and Booksy Galore will host displays of books on Modernism.
Underwriting for “Modern in Pound Ridge” is provided with leadership support from Houlihan Lawrence
Real Estate. Sponsors for the exhibition panels include Albano Appliance & Service, Bedford Post Inn, DPD Builders, Ltd., Dynax Corporation, The Inn at Pound Ridge by Jean-Georges, and Carol Kurth Architecture + Interiors.
“Modern in Pound Ridge” will run through November 19 and will be open to the public from 2 pm to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays and by appointment. Call 914-764-4333 for more information.
