Join Ed as he describes examples of the kind of fine and decorative art collected in America during The Gilded Age. While many of the artists are largely forgotten today, early purchases of others, such as the French Barbizon and Impressionist painters, enabled many superb works to enter our private and public collections.

To commemorate the milestone auction of a first-issue (1865) Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland on June 16, one of only two in private hands with the original binding, Ed will welcome Francis Wahgren, Christie’s rare book specialist, who will highlight the importance of Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece.

Our guest will be Ron Kagan, the internationally esteemed Executive Director and C.E.O. of the Detroit Zoological Society, which runs the famed Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Conservancy. Ron will speak to the history of the Detroit Zoo and describe its evolution into one of the world’s premier centers for the study of nature, its creatures, and environmental sustainability. As a prime venue in our annual Summer Cultural Destination Series, a visit to the Detroit Zoo will be an unforgettable experience.