Ormiston will be open for holiday tours on December 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, and 22. Enjoy free tea and cookies from 10 am to 4 pm.
Wassail 2024
A splendid Wassail Christmas party was held Wednesday December 4th 2024 at Ormiston Mansion & Gardens in Fairmount Park. Sixty RHS members & friends joined together to begin the holiday season in style. Delicious foods and sweet delights graced two buffet tables in the dining & the reception rooms! Jack Williams played the piano after our feast. We all sang favorite Christmas carols together in a celebratory fashion. Kicked off the holiday season for all of us.
Honorary British Consul Retires December 2024
Oliver St. Clair Franklin, OBE, CBE, Honorary British Consul of Philadelphia and Honorary Member of the Board of the Royal Heritage Society, has announced his retirement effective at the end of 2024. Appointed in September, 1998, he has served for 26 years and 3 months. As a result of his efforts many members of the Royal Family have visited Philadelphia. On many occasions, the Royals included stops at Ormiston Mansion to meet and greet the RHS Board and its membership. These City-wide stop-overs arranged by Franklin resulted in strengthening bonds of friendship and commerce with the UK. Thank you, Oliver, for all that you have done for the RHS.
Commonwealth of Nations Gala: An Evening of Merry Music, Dining and Dancing Held at the Highlands Mansion
Susan Gerrity organized a special fundraising event, the Commonwealth of Nations Gala, which took place on Sunday September 29th, 2024 at the Highlands Mansion in Fort Washington. The event was a smashing success with nearly 100 guests in attendance. Susan has spearheaded this gala event every two years for the past twenty years. On a biennial schedule, Susan has brought together the Commonwealth Committee whose members have come from a diverse group of 25 Commonwealth Organizations in Philadelphia. Organizations represented on the committee include: the English-Speaking Union (ESU), the DBE, the RHS, the Society of St. George, the St. Andrews Society, the Welsh Society, the Irish Center, Team Jamaica Bickle, Antigua & Barbuda, Trinidad & Tobago and others.
Early in January 2024, the Commonwealth Committee started planning this gala. The committee members first decided that the gala would be held at the Highlands Mansion on September 29th, 2024. Other details fell into place as more meetings were held. These committee meetings have always been held at Ormiston Mansion which has been a perfect central location for the diverse membership.
The very successful gala event benefited this year: Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Because of attendance ticket sales along with generous contributions of sponsors, a handsome amount was donated to the nonprofit Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Monies from silent auction items and raffle tickets to win donated baskets further enhanced the coffers. The Special Olympics provides year-round sports training as well as athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Congratulations go out to the Commonwealth Committee for their diligence in making the Commonwealth of Nations Gala such an overwhelming success.
Pig Roast Picnic
On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in late summer, a festive Pig Roast picnic took place on the front lawn of Ormiston Mansion. Long-term board member and former President of the Royal Heritage Society, Phyllis Fox, spearheaded this fantastic September feast as she has done many times. Phyllis knows a quality retail seller of whole hogs. From this South Philly butcher, she always has secured the very best hog. It is always prepared and ready to be served as the center piece of the picnic. The delicious spread set out upon tables on Ormiston’s porch included fresh rolls, salads, delicious fixings and homemade pickles. Additionally, scrumptious deserts including President Michael Poxon’s homemade lemon squares tempted the guests to indulge after they had eaten their pork sandwich meals.
Tables and chairs were set out under Ormiston’s large shade trees. RHS members along with their guests were assembled for hours catching up on their friends’ summertime adventures. It was a scrumptious and leisurely afternoon which everyone enjoyed surrounded by the tranquil beauty of Ormiston’s gardens.