Today! Bidding Opens for FLARE’s First Online Auction
Fundraising event features tours, trips, bling and more.
Historic tour packages, cocktail parties, vacation experiences, fine jewelry and one-on-one conversations with noted authors and experts are just a few of the items available to bid on as part of the First Ladies Association for Research and Education’s first online auction opening today.
“This is another step in the organization’s growth,” said Nancy Kegan Smith, FLARE president and retired director of the Presidential Materials Division of the National Archives and Records Administration.
Dubbed “A Curated Auction of Exceptional Experiences and Finds,” the FLARE auction, which is open to the public, offers something for everyone. Among the auction items are:
A deluxe vacation house in New York on the Finger Lakes for two nights
Exclusive tour packages of Mount Vernon, the National First Ladies Library & Museum, the Gerald R. Ford Museum, the Barnes and Calder Museums and more
Cocktail parties, teas and curated events at memorable and historic homes
One-on-one virtual conversations with noted authors, editors and writers
Unique customer services including designing a logo
Designer scarves by Hermes, Ann Hand and the White House Historical Association
Fine jewelry including a beautiful bracelet, pendants and a pin
This is the first major fundraiser the organization has organized since its nonprofit establishment in 2021. People are encouraged to check the auction frequently as additional donations will be added throughout the auction that runs through November 7, 2025.
All profits will go to FLARE’s general fund. FLARE is a non-profit tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The organization’s mission is to promote and publicize research and education about the contributions, impact, and lasting legacy of U.S. first ladies.
Tudor Place Earns National Recognitions as Programs Step Off the Fall Season
Tudor Place received two prestigious national recognitions this year—a 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, the highest possible rating for financial health and accountability, and a Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid, recognizing its commitment to openness and impact in the nonprofit sector.
“These recognitions validate the work we do every day to preserve, share and celebrate history that belongs to everyone,” said Interim Executive Director Anne C.B. Roberts. “As we step into our fall season, we invite the community to experience our offerings and see firsthand why investing in local museums matters.”
As one of the region’s most respected cultural institutions, Tudor Place Historic House & Garden continues to be a place where history comes alive—and where every visitor can find themselves in the multifaceted stories told. With these new accolades, the museum reinforces its role as a trustworthy steward of resources and a meaningful place to support through visitation, membership and donations for historic preservation.
Autumn is the ideal season to celebrate and support local museums. From guided tours and garden strolls to engaging programs and membership opportunities, there are countless ways to connect with history and community. Guided tours of the historic house and self-guided garden visits are available Tuesday - Sunday. Currently on view is: Tangled Roots: Families of Tudor Place, exploring the lives and legacies of the multi-generational Black and white families who shaped this iconic Georgetown estate.
Tudor Place’s fall programming highlights include:
Tudor Tots – October 8, November 5, November 19, December 2: Young learners aged 18 months to 4 years old join in for storytime, arts and crafts and more.
Behind the Canvas: Secrets, Symbols and Architecture in Washington D.C. – October 22: Artist-in-Residence Peter Waddell and historical architect Paul Dolinsky explore some of Washington, D.C.’s iconic buildings.
Trick or Treat at Tudor Place – October 25: Put on your favorite costume and enjoy treats in the Tudor Place Garden.
Guided Garden Tour – November 1: Learn about the history of the 5.5-acre garden and how Tudor Place staff keep it looking its best in all seasons.
Landmark Lecture: The Art of Replication – November 18: Discover how Mt. Vernon recreated a tea table from the Tudor Place Collection & Archive that belonged to George Washington. Join in-person or virtually.
Calendar
Oct. 14, 2025
Portraits from a Presidential Campaign with Barbara Kinney
The Clinton Foundation presents “Portraits From a Presidential Campaign with Barbara Kinney” on Tuesday, October 14 at 6 p.m CT. Kinney is an award-winning photographer who has worked with the Clintons for 30 years. She will explore highlights of her career from the White House to the presidential campaign trail. Read more
Oct. 16, 2025
Third Thursdays Wine & Cheese with the First Ladies: Threads of Legacy
Needlework may seem like a quiet pastime, but in the hands of America’s first ladies it became a powerful form of self-expression, comfort during wartime, and even subtle political influence. The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents author and needlework researcher Denise Layman for an in-person presentation at 6:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, exploring the little-known needlework stories of our nation’s first ladies. From the Revolutionary War to the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ll see how stitching traditions offer intimate insights into the lives and legacies of first ladies including Martha Washington, Pat Nixon and Michelle Obama. Read more
October 18, 2025
Edith Bolling Wilson Birthday Celebration
The Edith Bolling Wilson House Birthplace Museum presents “Edith Bolling Wilson Birthday Celebration” from 3 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 18, 2025, at its site at 145 E.Main Street in Wytheville, Virginia. The event will include opening remarks from Casey Jenkins, the executive director of the Virginia Associations of Museums, a presentation by Adam Manuel of the only known recording of Edith Wilson’s voice, and the unveiling of The Winnie Carter Collection in the new exhibit “A Life in Two Acts.” Also “Edith” will be portrayed by special guest Betsy Ely. Read more
November 12, 2025
Talk With a Curator
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents an online exclusive look behind the glass with Michelle Gullion, Director of Collections & Research at the National First Ladies Library & Museum. From rarely seen artifacts to personal insights on curating exhibitions, Michelle will guide attendees through what it takes to protect and interpret the legacy of America’s First Ladies. Highlights include: behind-the-scenes stories from the archives, a look at the newest and most fascinating acquisitions, curator secrets on preservation and research and a live Q&A session. Read more
Select Saturdays through Oct. 18, 2025
Tales from the First Lady
Mount Vernon invites you to step back in time and join Martha Washington for a special in-person storytelling adventure at 10 a.m. on select Saturdays through Oct. 18, 2025. Designed for children ages 4-7, this engaging 30-40 minute program offers a unique opportunity to hear a captivating children’s story read aloud by Mrs. Washington herself. Read more
Submit calendar items, announcements and press releases to East Wing Magazine at jtaylor@eastwingmagazine.com.