Rippleton Schoolhouse is Open!
Fridays and Saturdays
July 4th-October 11th
10am-4pm
This summer, the Rippleton Schoolhouse at Lorenzo invites visitors of all ages to engage with history hands-on. Have a lesson in the authentic 1887 schoolhouse, try your hand at traditional games and activities, and explore the beautiful grounds.
Admission is free.
Friends of Lorenzo Garden Gala
Thursday, June 12th 6pm-8pm
In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Friends of Lorenzo,
you are invited to our Annual Garden Gala. This year we will be honoring Mr. and Mrs. Russell Brownback & the Syracuse Garden Club for their ongoing support of the Friends of Lorenzo. The gala will be catered by the Lincklaen House and music will be provided by the Cazenovia High School String Quartet.
The gala will be held rain or shine; in the even of inclement weather the gala will be held inside Lorenzo mansion.
%20(Invitations%20(Landscape))%20(Postcards.png)
47th Lorenzo Driving Competition
July 18th, 19th, and 20th
8am-5pm
Join us in celebrating the show’s 47th year as the Lorenzo landscape once again sets the backdrop for this display of horse and carriage driving skill, timing, and style. Exhibits, sales, refreshments, and demonstrations are also offered. Sponsored by the Lorenzo Driving Competition, Inc.
Admission to the show is free.
For more information visit
lorenzodriving.org
or
e-mail lorenzodriving@gmail.com
Syracuse Orchestra Dinner
Friday, July 25th 5:30
The pleasure of your company is requested to attend dinner on the front lawn of Lorenzo State Historic Site to Celebrate 50 Years of the Friends of Lorenzo. The Syracuse Orchestra will perform a variety of classical and popular music, including music by Sean O’Loughlin, including his new piece written for The Syracuse Orchestra, Onward, as well as music by Bernstein, Sousa, and many more!
Please note the funds you donate to this dinner are directed entirely to the Friends of Lorenzo and are not contributed to The Syracuse Orchestra for this event.
This year marks a remarkable milestone for the Friends of Lorenzo—our 50th Anniversary! For five decades, our organization has been dedicated to preserving, promoting, and celebrating the beauty, history, and legacy of the Lorenzo State Historic Site. What began as a grassroots effort by a devoted group of community members has grown into a vibrant, passionate organization that continues to enrich Cazenovia and beyond.
As we look back on our history and forward to our future, we are filled with gratitude—for our founding members, Mrs. Thomas Dolan, Honorable Stuart F. Hancock, Jr., Mrs. Robert Horstmyer, Ann P. Koeze, Mr. Charles J. Mack, Mrs. Walter G. Oakman, Mr. Robert A. Riester, Jayne Ritz and Mrs. William J. Steffan, our current members, volunteers, supporters, and community. We know none of this would be possible without our “Friends.”
Itinerary for the Evening
5:30PM-6:15PM: Cocktails and Hors d'oeuvres
6:15PM-7:15Pm: Dinner and Dessert
7:30PM: The Syracuse Orchestra performance on the front lawn of Lorenzo
This event is a cash bar event, no credit cards will be accepted.
This event will take place rain or shine.
Syracuse Orchestra
Friday, July 25th 7:30pm
Join us on the front lawn of Lorenzo to enjoy a night of beautiful music under the stars. The Syracuse Orchestra will perform a variety of classical and popular music. Bring your own seating and picnic.
Admission is free for this event.
Program
Smith: Star Spangled Banner
Bernstein: Candide Overture
Saint-Saens: Samson et Dalila: Bacchanale
Coleridge-Taylor: Four Characteristic Waltzes: Valse bohémienne
O'Loughlin: Onward
Copland: Rodeo: Buckaroo Holiday
INTERMISSION
Bernstein: The Magnificent Seven
O'Loughlin: The Greatest Showman
Sousa: Fairest of the Fair
Williams/O'Loughlin: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Custer: Dixieland Parade
Sousa: Stars and Stripes Forever
Limestone Creek Hunt Club's Parade & Blessing of the Hounds
Sunday, September 7th
9am-10am
At 9:00AM join LCH for the annual Parade of Hounds through Cazenovia to Lorenzo. Following the parade there will be the traditional Blessing of the Hounds on the front lawn of Lorenzo (approximately 9:30AM).
Admission is free.
Lorenzo Fine Art Tour
Sunday, September 14th 2:00pm
Join art historian Elisabeth Genter Montevecchio for a 45-minute tour highlighting Lorenzo’s amazing fine art collection including works by Sanford Gifford, Edward Moran, Jasper Cropsey, Dwight Williams, and 17th century Dutch Masters.
Admission to the program is free.
Reservations required, as space is limited.
Call 315-655-3200, ext. 106
or
email: jacqueline.roshia@parks.ny.gov
Rippleton Schoolhouse Community Day
September 21st
1pm-4pm
Since relocating to the Lorenzo grounds in 1997, the Rippleton Schoolhouse has served as a place to “live history” as hundreds of students attend programs in our restored one-room schoolhouse. Since 2002, the Friends of Lorenzo have hosted this annual event welcoming “kids of all ages” to participate in period games, meet the schoolmarm, enjoy refreshments, horse-drawn wagon rides, fall crafts, and more!
Admission free.
Friends of Lorenzo Fundraiser
"Dead Silent: Florence of Moravia"
Murder Mystery Dinner
Friday, October 3rd
A little party never killed nobody!
Join us for an evening of glitz, glamour, and intrigue as the Friends of Lorenzo present "Dead Silent: Florence of Moravia", a murder mystery dinner performed by The Acme Mystery Company.
It's 1927 and local radio personality Nevelle Haspin invites you to the broadcast of a gala reception for silent film diva Lorraine Bowes. Lorraine is currently making a film portraying hometown hero and notorious WWI spy Florence Goode, a.k.a. Hata Mahma. Joining Lorraine will be her leading man, if he is sober, Roland DeHay and Lorraine's agent, Harold "Hawk" Toohey. Arriving without an invitation is nationally syndicated gossip columnist Helena Handbasquet. Be careful. These celebrities autograph with poisoned pens!
Location
Hampton Inn & Suites
25 Lakers Lane
Cazenovia, NY 13035
Cost
$80 per person
Includes one complimentary drink and buffet style dinner
RSVP Date
September 26, 2025
Attire
1920s farmer fabulous to fashionable flapper to glitzy glamourous
Time
Cocktail hour beings at 6:30 PM
Victorian Death & Funerary Practices
Saturday, October 18th 1pm, 3pm, & 5pm
Join us for a special tour of Lorenzo featuring the death and funerary practices of the Victorians. Mortality rates were high in the 19th century, and death and mourning rituals elaborate. We’ll keep the lights low as we share everything from the mundane to the macabre about death in the Victorian era.
Admission free.
Reservations required, as space is limited.
Call 315-655-3200, ext. 106
or
Friends of Lorenzo Member-Guest Christmas Preview Party
December 3rd - 6:00pm-8:00pm
Please join us for the Friends of Lorenzo Christmas Preview Party". Step into the magic of the season as the holiday spirit comes to life at Lorenzo. Share with us an enchanting evening filled with festive decor, twinkling lights, and timeless charm. Theme of this year's Christmas Celebration at Lorenzo:A Storybook Holiday
Cost: Friends of Lorenzo Members: $50
Guests of Friends of Lorenzo: $55
Patrons of Friends of Lorenzo: $70
To Purchase Tickets Click Here
Or send check payable to
Friends of Lorenzo
Christmas Preview Party
P.O. Box 4
Cazenovia, NY 13035
For more information please contact
Beth Carroll 315-559-6024
Katherine Huftalen 315-415-5288
Dark Aisle Illumination at Lorenzo State Historic Site
Thursday December 4th through Sunday January 4th 4PM-9PM
In celebration of their 50th anniversary, the Friends of Lorenzo will be supporting the Dark Aisle Illumination for the 2025 holiday season.
The festive lighting our through tree-lined garden enclosure will be free to walk through from 4:00pm to 9:00pm daily December 4th, 2025 through January 4th, 2026.
Walk through this event on your own. Leashed pets are welcome on the grounds.
Admission free.
Stop by to enjoy this free, family friendly display on your own!
Traditional Guided Tours of Decorated Lorenzo Mansion
Wednesday December 10th through Friday December 12th 1PM-4PM
Traditional tours of the Mansion and holiday decorations will be available.
Private group tours of 8 or more may also be scheduled through the end of December by calling 315-655-3200, ext. 106.
Event admission: Adults $6.00, Children12 and under $2.00
51st Annual Lorenzo Christmas Celebration
Thursday December 11th & Friday December 12th 7PM-9PM
Saturday December 13th & Sunday December 14th 1PM-4PM
Join us for a Storybook Christmas at Lorenzo! With support from the Friends of Lorenzo, this annual holiday celebration will feature refreshments, live music, and horse-drawn sleigh/wagon rides.
On Saturday & Sunday the Rippleton Schoolhouse will feature holiday crafts for “kids of all ages.”
Event admission: Adults $6.00, Children12 and under $2.00
Schedule of Performers
Thursday December 11th 7PM-9PM
Laine Gilmore playing the 1867 Steinway in the Drawing Room
Chord Wood Quartet performing in upstairs hallway
Friday December 12th 7PM-9PM
Belle Aire Handbell Trio & Bellissimo Handbell Ringers performing in upstairs hallway
Saturday December 13th 1PM-4PM
Belle Aire Handbell Trio & Bellissimo Handbell Ringers performing in upstairs hallway
Sunday December 14th 1PM-4PM
Bells & Motley performing in upstairs hallway
Santa Claus visiting Lorenzo
