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The Friends of Mills at Staatsburgh are currently focused on restoring Staatsburgh’s magnificent library by providing historically accurate reproduction draperies for its eight windows.

The opulent library featured prominently when Ruth and Ogden entertained. The Mills were known for being enthusiastic high-stakes bridge players and guests would convene in the library for lively conversation and card parties that went on until the wee hours of the morning. Over the years, sunlight streaming through the western facing windows has reduced the library’s magnificent red silk damask draperies to faded tatters.

We recently received a grant from NYS Park & Trail Partnership program to create these draperies. Renowned firms Kravet/Lee Jofa and Samuel & Sons have been engaged to create custom fabrics and trim. The cost of this project is approximately $64,000 – the grant supplied half of that with the stipulation that the Friends raise the remaining $32,000. Thanks to our most recent appeal, we have a remaining $26,500 to go.

To continue this work, we need your help. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to the Friends of Mills at Staatsburgh to help restore the library. In doing so, you help ensure this beautiful Beaux-Arts landmark continues as the heart of our community and a cultural resource for generations to come.

Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Current state of the draperies:

Drapery update:

The custom-milled fabric has been selected, created, and delivered to the Bureau of Historic Sites’ Peebles Island Resource Center. It is currently being stitched into the new reproduction draperies by volunteers from the New York Capital District Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America.