Historical Society to honor ‘trailblazing’ women and noted preservationist
GREENWICH — Plans by the Greenwich Historical Society to honor “trailblazing women” in Greenwich and the home of Mary Tyler Moore were delayed last spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, the effort to bring attention to renowned women who lived in Greenwich will take place in a Sept. 30 ceremony that will also honor the late David Ogilvy for his work to preserve local landmarks.
Four homes and buildings, which were designed, owned or dedicated to renowned women, will be highlighted through the Greenwich Historical Society’s annual Landmarks Recognition Program. The buildings slated to receive plaques are the Mary Tyler Moore home, the Innis Arden Cottage in Old Greenwich, the YWCA Greenwich and the Woolley Huntzinger House, a Tudor residence in the Rock Ridge neighborhood.
Ogilvy, a longtime real estate executive, will be posthumously honored for his work to recognize the advancement of historic preservation in Greenwich. The Greenwich Historical Society will give the first annual David Ogilvy Preservation Award named in his honor.
The award will be presented to his wife, Anne Ogilvy, and his family at the historical society’s annual meeting. Ogilvy died in February 2020 at the age of 77.
“It is a privilege to acknowledge David’s tremendous contribution to preserving Greenwich’s unique architectural heritage by creating this award in his honor,” said Debra Mecky, executive director at the Historical Society. “His relentless efforts to ensure Greenwich maintains its distinctiveness and high quality of life, especially at time when historic homes and other notable structures are fast disappearing, has set a high bar and an admirable example for the community. He was a cherished friend who left a very large footprint in Greenwich.”
The Greenwich Historical Society also will honor recipients of the Landmarks Recognition Program at the meeting. The recognition of local landmark status had originally been planned to coincide with commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote across the United States in 1920.
The midcountry home of Mary Tyler Moore, an actress famous for her starring roles in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” will be recognized. She lived there with her husband, Dr. S. Robert Levine, until her death in 2017.
The Innis Arden Cottage in Old Greenwich, affiliated with philanthropist Maria Tod, will be honored, as well as Woolley Huntzinger House, home of Ada Huntzinger, the wife of a prominent music publisher. The YWCA Greenwich will also be recognized.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit greenwichhistory.org/ landmarks/. The David Ogilvy Presentation Award and the 90th annual meeting will be held from 5:45 to 8 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Belle Haven Club.