“What Americans most need now are places to meet, connect and thrive—and preservation is its superpower.” – Carol Quillen

It is patron gridlock at the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 75th anniversary at the Metropolitan Club. A private nonprofit, the National Trust is a champion of America’s architectural and cultural heritage, working to preserve historic buildings, promote community revitalization and tell stories that define our nation’s roots. The National Trust protects endangered sites, energizes historic downtowns and maintains 27 nationally historic sites such as the Cooper-Molera Adobe in Monterey, the Cliveden in Philadelphia and the Tenement Museum in New York.


Cocktails are in the Great Hall before dinner, overseen by interior designer Alex Papachristidis with Gilded Age inspired table settings adorned with 19th-century antiques loaned by Alexander Sakhai. The recipient list reads like a who’s who of preservation and cultural advocacy, including philanthropists Peter L. and Isabel Malkin and VERANDA magazine (celebrated for its role in promoting historic restoration and culture). Also honored: the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, an initiative that actively preserves sites of African American activism, achievement and resilience.
My favorite CBS Sunday Morning Host Mo Rocca keeps the evening engaging. Chairs Phoebe and Bobby Tudor and vice chairs Christy Brown and the Honorable Tod Sedgwick lead a program highlighting the importance of preservation. The night isn’t just about celebrating the past; it is about shaping the future. Fundraising efforts – including generous “Fund-A-Need” donations – raise $1.8 million to support ongoing projects and new initiatives. The event reinforces the Trust’s vital role in leading America’s preservation movement through programs like “America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places” and “Main Street America,” – driving awareness, community engagement and revitalization.






Carol Quillen, the Trust’s President and CEO, sums up the evening: “Preservation sparks experiences of awe and joy. It creates economic opportunity and builds community. What Americans most need now are places to meet, connect and thrive—and preservation is its superpower.” – ALEXANDER HANKIN






