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Friends of Topsmead Announces Winner of Annual Scholarship Program
The Friends of Topsmead Scholarship Committee along with our Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of our 2026 scholarship award winner. She is Haylen Sincovic of Torrington, Connecticut. Haylen will be studying both environmental science and illustration at the University of Hartford, combining her creativity with a scientific foundation. Her goal is to pursue a career advancing and advocating for ecological preservation. She exemplifies the type of student whom we hope will benefit from this scholarship.
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All-terrain wheelchairs are available for anyone's use at Topsmead this year starting Saturday, June 6th through the end of October with advance reservations. You can make a reservation on the Reserve America website.
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ASK BOB
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Bob Orintas, the son of John Orintas, Miss Edith Chase's chauffeur, has been sharing his wonderful essays recounting his memories of Topsmead on our website for years! Thank you Bob!
We have begun to offer the opportunity for everyone to ask him direct questions about life at Topsmead. Please send your questions via the button below. Your question may be one that Bob responds to in our newsletter and on the website! |
Question #6: Can you tell us about Miss Edith attire?
- How did she dressed for daily life at Topsmead?
- Did she change clothes for dinner?
- How would she dress for a garden party, a barbecue or going to town?
- Did she travel to New York City for social occasions? She must’ve had separate outfits for those things.
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Growing up at Topsmead, we were not allowed up to the main house very often, so I can't offer details about everyday occurrences, but from an overall perspective, Miss Edith, Miss Mary and Miss Lucy dressed very simply and conservatively. When Miss Edith came to visit the farm, she was usually in a simple housedress.
Dressing for dinner was common, but I don't know if it was done daily. There were no fancy outfits that I can ever remember. The ladies would go to New York city, I estimate, about 6 to 8 times per year. Sometimes Miss Edith would drive, other times my dad would drive and then have to find a hotel and a place to park the car. In NYC they would stay at the Cosmopolitan Club, where Miss Edith was a member. Trips were made mostly for shopping, as well as visiting her sister Kate and other friends. They would also see some Broadway shows. They would usually stay for two to three days at a time. While I can't provide more information regarding dressing, I would emphasize that it would have been on the conservative side. |
Miss Edith entertains friends by the outdoor grill.
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by Margaret Hunt
Barn swallows enjoy Chase Cottage western veranda
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