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Keep the Chantilly Experience Alive !
Join “American Friends of Chantilly” by filling out this form

What is American Friends of Chantilly ?

American Friends of Chantilly, Inc. was created in 2003 by a group of American Francophiles who had been captivated by visits to Château de Chantilly.

Its purpose is three- fold:

• To raise tax deductible contributions for the restoration and preservation of paintings, sculptures, books and historic manuscripts located at Château de Chantilly
• To encourage Americans to visit this beautiful and historic site as individuals, families and with tour groups
• To provide tours and educational exchange opportunities with Domaine de Chantilly.

Nationwide membership includes persons interested in the arts, who have visited the Domain or learned about it, and wish to help preserve its magnificent collections for the enjoyment of future generations. AFC's work has been encouraged by the International Alliance Française, and by M Alain Decaux, from The Academie Française, former Minister of the French Governement, President of the « College des Conservateurs du Domaine de Chantilly ».

American Friends of Chantilly has been approved by the United States Internal Revenues Service as a not-for-profit, philantropic association. Membership dues and restoration contributions are exempt from US Income tax.

Projects supported by American Friends of Chantilly :

• Participation in the restoration of The Château's collection of priceless 16th century Clouet portraits of French kings and their courts (2003 -2005)
• Organization of an inaugural tour of AFC members (2005)
• Underwriting of the first French language edition of « Gardens of Illusion, The Genius of Andre Le Notre » by board member, Dr. F. Hamilton Hazlehurst;
• Publishing of the first complete catalogue of the hundreds of priceless historic manusripts housed in the Château de Chantilly library (2007- 2008)
• Restoration of the Statue of André Le Nôtre (2009)
• Financial participation for publishing an English version of the book on the restoration of Le Nôtre's gardens.

American Friends of Chantilly has over 200 members from coast to coast.

American Friends of Chantilly
158 Valley Forge
Nashville, Tennessee 37205
Phone: 615-383-2852
Fax: 615-383-2853
Email: Burg1927@att.net
French email : afceurope@orange.fr

Board of Directors, American Friends of Chantilly,
Inc. July, 2009

158 Valley Forge, Nashville, TN 37205 tel: 615-383-2852

OFFICERS

• Mme. Candice Nancel, President
• Mr. Steve Sirls, Vice President, USA
• M. Frederic Nancel, Vice President, Europe
• Dr. Roger Burgess, Secretary/Treasurer

Mr. David Preston Allard, AIA, FAUA is a partner in Allard Ward Architects of Nashville, Tennessee, USA. He has over 30 years experience in planning and design work, with emphasis on educational and institutional facilities. Mr. Allard began his practice while still an architectural student at Ohio University. In addition to his private architectural practice he has worked for the Department of Planning and Urban Renewal, Akron, Ohio; Florida International University, Miami Florida and at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University. He has worked on restoration of thirty historic buildings.

Dr. Roger L. Burgess, LLD. is President of Burgess Communications, Nashville, Tennessee. He has spent over 40 years as a professional in communications and fund raising. He has served as Executive Director or General Secretary of numerous philanthropic organizations, and on various boards including Red Cross, United Way and The United Methodist Church.

Mme. Pauline Carter, French, is a Board member of Les Amis du Musée Condé. The organization has played an important role in raising funds for the renovation of many of the Chateau’s treasures. She and her husband David (recently deceased) assisting securing funding from American foundations for renovation of the Chateau’s magnificent Galerie des Batailles.

Mr. Allen DeCuyper is a prominent specialist in Historic Properties Real Estate. He has played an important role in raising funds for many historic projects a well as various historic associations. He is a partner in Broker South Real Estate Company. Mr. DeCuyper currently serves on the Review Committee, Nashville Metropolitan Historical Governing Zoning Commission; the Advisory Board of Nashville Cares and on the Tennessee Governor’s Board, State Capital Commission.

Mrs. Kelley Gaidos Estes has spent her career as a professional painter, working in oil and pastel. She is a sculptor, casting her own pieces in bronze. Studies include formal training with the late William Schultz, nationally know impressionist oil painter and master pastelist; Charles Cecil Studio in Florence, Italy; Corcoran Museum and School of Art in Washington, DC; Auburn and Vanderbilt Universities. Professional credits include acceptance to national juried shows including Central South and the National Pastell Society as well as numerous private commissions and solo exhibitions.

Mr. James R. Kelley a member of Neal and Harwell Attorneys at Law, Nashville, Tennessee. His practice is concentrated in commercial law, bankruptcy, taxation and general corporate matters. His education includes a B.A from Vanderbilt University, a J.D. with distinction from Emory and an L.L.M. in Taxation from Emory Law School. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 1989. Mr. Kelley is a frequent speaker at commercial law seminars throughout the United states. He is a Fellow in the American College of Bankruptcy and a Fellow in the Nashville Bar Association.

Mrs. Candice L. Nancel works for the US Embassy in Paris, France. She is Cultural Asset Manager and was project manager for the restoration of the George C. Marshall Center in the Hotel de Talleyrand, a property of the State Department where official Embassy events are held. Mrs. Nancel was the Founding Director in France for the Christian Children’s Fund organization, Un Enfant Par La Main. Prior to that she held significant posts with the Paris Chamber of Commerce and World Trade Center Association. Mrs. Nancel was named in July 2009“Chevalier of the French Légion d’Honneur”.

Mr. Frederic Nancel is in charge of the Operations and Special Events for Domaine de Chantilly, France. He has over 20 years experience as a professional in the development and management of cultural and recreational projects; including construction and management of several projects for ACCOR, international hotel group. He also directed projects for the worldwide company, VIVENDI, serving as General Director of the Paris Colline de La Defense, including an Antique Car Museum, an Imax Theater and Special Events facilities

Mr. Chase Rynd of Washington, DC is a nationally recognized leader in the museum and arts communities. Mr. Rynd is currently CEO and Executive Director of the National Building Museum, Washington, DC. From 1998 to 2003, Mr. Rynd was founding Executive Director and CEO of the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville, TN. He also served six years as Executive Director and CEO of the Tacoma Art Museum in the state of Washington.

Mr. Steve Sirls of Nashville, Tennessee is a highly respected, Professional Landscape Designer. He has over 18 years experience in horticulture design in Nashville and the surrounding area. Currently he serves as a Commissioner on the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission. Mr. Sirls has served on many boards, including Nashville Cares; West Area Chamber of Commerce; Nashville Greenways and the Belmont Mansion Association. He is Past President of Nashville’s Richland West End Neighborhood Association.

Mrs. Vivien Woofter is the former Director of the Interior and Furnishing Division, Overseas Building Operations, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC. She served in that position from 1998 to 2006. Responsibilities included directing a staff of 57 in three branches: Residential Design, Official Facilities, and Program Support. She is presently on contract as an Interior Designer responsible for the historic restoration of the George C. Marshall Center in the Hotel de Talleyrand, part of the Paris Embassy complex, and is responsible for setting up an International Heritage and Maintenance Program for the State Department’s Culturally Significant Properties and Assets.

HONORARY MEMBERS AND FOUNDERS

Mr. David Carter (deceased 2009) was a founder of American Friends of Chantilly. An American. Mr. Carter lived most of his life in France. For 38 years he worked in J. P. Morgan’s Paris office, retiring in 1994. Mr. Carter was a Harvard graduate (College and Business School). Among his many volunteer activities he served as Treasurer, Board of of Governors of the American Hospital of Paris. He and Mrs. Carter helped raise substantial funds to support restoration of Château de Chantilly.

Sir. Roupen Gulbenk of Nashville, Tennessee is a noted USA authority on 17th and 18th century art and furniture. He has directed many restoration projects and has served on the Tennessee State Executive Residence Preservation Foundation. Though retired, Mr. Gulbenk remains sought after as a consultant on restoration projects and as an appraiser of fine American furniture and art with historic value. He also serves as an officer of the St. Andrews Priory, Knights Templar.

Dr. Hamilton Hazlehurst received his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Princeton University. For over 25 years, he served as Chairman of the Vanderbilt University Department of Fine Arts in Nashville, Tennessee. His scholarly research has focused primarily on French art and architecture. He is the author of Gardens of Illusion: The Genius of Andre’ Le Notre, which received highest honors from The International Society of Architectural Historians. In 2006 the French government made him an Officer of its National Order of Arts and Letters for chronicling Le Notre’s design of many 16th century chateau gardens including Versailles, Tuileries, Fontainebleau and Chantilly.