Frederick J. Fisher Lecture | The Washington Hostess-with-the-Mostest
This program is the thirteenth annual lecture honoring the legacy of Hillwood's former executive director, Frederick J. Fisher.
Join Meryl Gordon, the author of four biographies, who will be discussing the rollicking life and political legacy of Perle Mesta, the diplomat, feminist, and hostess who was close to four presidents and much in demand for four decades.
Perle Mesta and Marjorie Merriweather Post were close friends who supported each other's causes: testifying before Congress together to support what would become the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Like Marjorie, Perle had an entrepreneurial father who made an impressive fortune. The women frequently attended each other's parties, and Perle visited Marjorie's Adirondacks camp and Mar-A-Lago. Both spent time in Russia during periods when very few Americans were allowed in.
Speaker and author Meryl Gordon will be signing copies of The Woman Who Knew Everyone: The Power of Perle Mesta, Washington's Most Famous Hostess after the lecture.
HYBRID PROGRAM
This lecture will be presented in the theater in the Ellen MacNeille Charles Visitor Center and will be livestreamed via Zoom. Visitors can submit questions for the speaker from any location.
IN-PERSON TIMELINE
5:30–6:30 p.m. | Explore Hillwood
- Enjoy Hillwood’s mansion, gardens, greenhouse, and exhibition, From Exile to Avant-Garde: The Life of Princess Natalie Paley
- Find the perfect memento from your visit at the museum shop
6 p.m. | Reception
- All attendees are invited to a free reception to celebrate and honor Frederick J. Fisher, for whom the lecture is named.
6:30–7:30 p.m. | Lecture
7:30 p.m. | Book signing. Meryl's book The Woman Who Knew Everyone: The Power of Perle Mesta, Washington's Most Famous Hostess will be available for purchase in the museum store.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Meryl Gordon is an award-winning journalist and tenured NYU journalism professor. She is the author of four biographies; two have been New York Times bestsellers. Her work has appeared in New York Magazine, Vanity Fair and The New York Times.
A native of Rochester, New York and a graduate of the University of Michigan, Meryl has worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine writer, tv and radio reporter. She has covered a wide array of topics including national politics, influential New Yorkers, police and courts, economics and business, fashion, food, celebrities, pioneering women and book reviews. She is based in New York City.