The Inspiration
On Mother’s Day in 2000, Martha Hall Kelly drove to Bethlehem, Connecticut, to tour the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden. She had first read about the property’s last resident, Caroline Woolsey Ferriday, in a May 1999 issue of Victoria Magazine. Ferriday had worked to secure medical care for survivors of Ravensbruck, Hitler’s only all-women concentration camp during World War II. Women in the camp, many of them Polish, had been victims of medical experimentation, and many of them suffered long term health complications from their time in the camp. Martha Hall Kelly was the only person on the tour that day. The guide shared the story of Ferriday, who had worked from the rooms of the summer home her family called “The Hay.” Kelly departed the property with a deeper understanding of the profoundly moving actions of Caroline Ferriday—and an idea.
Caroline Ferriday with Ravensbruck survivors, image from the collections of Connecticut Landmarks.
The Author
Martha’s debut novel Lilac Girls, became a New York Times bestseller the week it was published in 2016 and then went on to sell over two million copies and publish in 50 countries. The novel is based on the true story of 75 women who were imprisoned and experimented on at Ravensbruck Concentration Camp and how Caroline Ferriday, an American philanthropist brought them to the U.S. for rehabilitation and the trip of a lifetime.
Martha followed Lilac Girls with Lost Roses about Caroline’s mother, and Sunflower Sisters about Caroline’s great grandmother, which also became Instant New York Times best sellers. The Golden Doves, which returns to WWII is now available in paperback wherever books are sold.
Her upcoming novel The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club is set to release May 27th and explores the story of two sisters living on Martha’s Vineyard during World War II who find hope in the power of storytelling when they start a wartime book club for women.
Martha grew up in Massachusetts and now splits her time between Litchfield, Connecticut, Hobe Sound, Florida, and New York City.
Find more info about the incredible, true stories behind all of Martha’s books on her website and social media channels.
The Venue
We are thrilled to welcome attendees to afternoon tea at Winvian Farm, a unique luxury experience in Morris, Connecticut, just down the road from the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden. This beautiful property is known for its gorgeous accommodations, award-winning relaxing spa, and spectacular dining.
Making a weekend of it? Check the availability of cottages onsite.
Winvian’s History
In 1775, Dr. Seth Bird, an eccentric but respected physician known for bringing a coffin along on his house calls, built a home for himself and his family in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut. It was a white clapboard beauty, aproned with meadows and woods, and a comfort and sustenance for the generations.
In 1948, the Smith family bought the historic Bird estate and named it Win-Vian, a combination of the first names of Winthrop Smith and his wife Vivian. They raised a beloved son, bounteous fruit and vegetables, and livestock on the property (today the luxury Spa stands where the pigpens once did but offers a rather nicer kind of mud treatment). When Win died, Vivian married Charles McVay, captain of the USS Indianapolis, whose riveting story is detailed in the book “In Harm’s Way.”
With the addition of eighteen individually designed luxury cottages and Hadley Suite, Winvian Farm remains in the Smith family today, lovingly restored by Maggie Smith, her daughter Heather and son Win Smith III into a luxurious, unconventional and absolutely magnificent getaway.
Tickets
Your admission includes a talk by author Martha Hall Kelly, who will speak about the inspiration, research process, and writing timeline related to her new work of historical fiction inspired by true events, as well as tea service including light refreshments. Proceeds support the continuing preservation of the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, the longtime summer home of Caroline Ferriday and her family before her.
Event attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to make an advanced purchase of Kelly’s newest book. Her novels, Lilac Girls, Lost Roses, Sunflower Sisters, and Golden Doves, will also be available for purchase and signing. Raffle prizes and a select assortment of gift shop items from the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden will be available for purchase.
Exclusive ticket pre-sale for Connecticut Landmarks’ Members will launch Wednesday, April 9, at 10:00 am. To access the pre-sale and all the benefits of membership, join today!
Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, April 15, at 10:00 am. Tickets for this event are very limited, and we anticipate that they will sell out.
Investment
| $140 | $130 CTL Members | Admission to the talk and tea |
| $200 | $175 CTL Members | Admission to the talk and tea, plus the exclusive opportunity to sit at Martha’s table for tea. It’s the perfect chance to chat with the author herself, and ask her all the questions you’ve been dying to know! |
Interested in touring the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden? A special edition guided tour of the house and garden will be available for event attendees as an add-on with your event purchase. This tour will take place at 3:30 pm on Friday, May 16th.
Experience the beauty of the museum’s historic garden on one of our popular Lilac Walks before you make your way to Winvian Farm. An add-on ticket for an 11:30 am Lilac Walk on Friday, May 16th will also be available for event attendees interested in starting their day early to explore the history behind Martha Hall Kelly’s works. Advance registration required as space is limited.