In the summer, Cazenovia buzzed with such social activities as picnics, carriage driving, sailing, and sporting events. Both ladies and gentlemen played tennis and croquet. Two social clubs were formed in the village, the Owahgena Club in 1885 and the Cazenovia Club in 1891 with Charles Stebbins Fairchild as a charter member. All these events were duly noted in the local newspaper along with the arrivals and departures of the area’s summer residents.

In the summer entertaining moved out of doors. A 19th-century party in the garden could be simple with just cold beverages, breads, and cakes or as elaborate as a formal dinner. Helen Fairchild recalled a “Garden party at Lorenzo” in the1870s that was attended by 60 people. Peaches, candies, a variety of ice creams, sponge cake, bread, and pound cake, all made “in house,” were served.

Grab a blanket or chair, put up your umbrella and, after the GCACC concert in the park, tap dance over to Lorenzo for a free outdoor showing of the classic 1952 Gene Kelly musical, “Singin’ in the Rain” at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, August 19 on the front lawn of the mansion, sponsored by the Friends of Lorenzo.

While enjoying the open-air cinema, viewers may also enjoy a boxed dinner from the Brewster Inn. For $10, pre-ordered dinners will include one of three gourmet sandwich choices, a bag of chips, a homemade cookie and a bottle of water. A portion from each dinner sold will be donated back to the Friends of Lorenzo. Dinner orders must be placed anytime before Tuesday August 17, and boxed meals will be ready for pick up between 7:30 and 8:00 pm at Lorenzo.

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