«Over a period of eight years, eight garden parties were held in the Van Slyck garden. Baked goods, books, plants, and other miscellaneous items...were sold, and lemonade and afternoon tea were served. In later years, barbequed chicken dinners were prepared and sold...Each annual garden party raised several thousand dollars, all of which went towards the construction of the Dugald Costume Museum.»

(from Biography [of] Winnifred Van Slyck by Karen Murray, ca.1987)