FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Publicity Co-Chairs
Barbara Gallo, Rosie Kitson
908-507-0502
MORRISTOWN, NJ, November 12, 2024 – The Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center (WAMMC) celebrated its 50 years of Mansion in May in support of Morristown Medical Center with a presentation by W. Barry Thomson, entitled “The Women’s Association and Morristown Medical Center…Together From the Beginning,” which was hosted for its members on October 29, 2024.
Author and Historian, W. Barry Thomson, took the more than 115 attendees back in time to the Morristown Memorial and All Souls’ hospitals in the early 1890s and the founding of the Women’s Association in March 1893. Thomson’s presentation highlighted how both hospitals owed their very existence to the efforts of women and how the Women's Association provided about 50% of Morristown Memorial's annual operating expenses in the first few years. He also provided a fascinating look into the histories of both hospitals that are steeped in connections of people and places going back to the American Revolution.
Thomson’s presentation also featured WAMMC’s signature fundraiser, Mansion in May Designer Showhouse and Gardens, which has been organized and run by the all-volunteer organization since 1974. WAMMC’s past 20 Mansion in May events, held every two or three years, have netted nearly $14 million for the hospital, thereby significantly enhancing the quality of medical care available to the area's residents.
Thomson, who has worked on several architectural and local history projects in the past and is a frequent lecturer on various aspects of architectural and area history, has graciously volunteered his time and expertise as the history consultant for seven previous Mansion in May events, and will again in 2025 at WAMMC’s 21st Mansion in May at Wildfair.
“We were thrilled to recognize and celebrate our 50 years of Mansion in May fundraising events in support of Morristown Medical Center with our members. We have come a long way since our organization was started in 1893, and Barry Thomson’s presentation provided a forum for attendees to fully appreciate the history and significance of the Women’s Association, our Mansion in May program and the many other support activities that are only possible with the dedication and commitment of our members and volunteers,” said Dale Scolnick, President, Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center.
The event also honored and recognized the past leadership for the Women’s Association and Mansion in May events with the introduction by Dale Scolnick of the past Presidents and past Mansion in May Chairs dating back to 1986, some of whom also served as past Presidents.
LtoR: Dale Scolnick, President, Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center; Barbara Ruane, Co-Chair, Mansion in May 2025; W. Barry Thomson; Mary Courtemanche, Co-Chair, Mansion in May 2025.
WAMMC Past Presidents and Past Mansion in May Chairs.
Mansion in May Designer Showhouse and Gardens 2025 at Wildfair in Chester Township, New Jersey will be open to the public from May 1 to May 31, 2025 and proceeds will benefit the new Proton Therapy Center at Morristown Medical Center. Tickets will be available online beginning December 2024. Advance tickets for group private tours will be available starting February 1, 2025, with individual private tour tickets following on March 1, 2025. For more information on Mansion in May 2025, visit www.mansioninmay.org.
Wildfair – site of Mansion in May 2025
ABOUT THE WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION FOR MORRISTOWN MEDICAL CENTER
Established in March 1893, the Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center (WAMMC) has been pivotal in providing financial support to the hospital, part of the Atlantic Health System. With over 450 dedicated volunteers, WAMMC hosts numerous fundraising events highlighted by the Mansion in May. The association also manages The Corner Gift Shops at the hospital, The Bargain Box, a Thrift Boutique, and Calling All Kids Storytime Network®, an innovative in-house family television service for young patients. As the volunteer fundraising arm of the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center, WAMMC provides support for capital modernization and expansion, pioneering clinical programs, breakthrough research and ongoing clinical education, contributing over $32 million to date. For more information, visit http://www.wammc.org.
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