Dine in the garden at El Zaguán | A Benefit for HSFF


Thursday, August 7, 2025 | 6-9 pm

ONLY 44 TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS EVENT

Menu:

Passed Hors d’oeuvres

• Summer tomato pizzette with buffalo mozzarella, fresh herbs, and parmesan frico

• Watermelon rind pickle with prosciutto, aged balsamic, sweet basil (+veg option)

• Shrimp aguachile with serrano chiles, red onion, cilantro, tomato, and lime

Appetizer

• Summer vegetable tartlet with Lisa’s lettuces, edible flowers

and lemon-nasturtium vinaigrette

Choice of Entreé

• Chilled beef with “elotes” - fresh corn, queso fresco, red chile avocado salad,

sweet corn green chile flan

• Room temperature grilled vegetable “cannelloni” with ricotta and burrata,

fresh herbs and extra virgin olive oil

Dessert

Layered panna cotta with sake jelly, stone fruit compote, and viola flower

$250 per person. Wine, Mocktails, and Sparkling Water are included.

Tables are also available for purchase.

Join us for an enchanting evening where Santa Fe's history, art, music, and local ingredients come together at our exclusive benefit dinner. Hosted by the Historic Santa Fe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, this unique event will take place in the serene historic garden of El Zaguán, dating back to 1880, in our cherished headquarters since 1961. Your participation will directly contribute to the preservation of Santa Fe's history and culture, while you enjoy the beautiful gardens, fine food, art, and music.

Indulge in a distinctive garden-to-table culinary experience featuring a four-course plated dinner accompanied by local wines. The chefs of The Rook will prepare your meal using hyper-local ingredients harvested directly from their garden in Seton Village. This culinary journey not only celebrates our region's ingredients but also honors the historical cultivation of land and the vital role of water for sustainable agriculture in Northern New Mexico. The land surrounding El Zaguán has significant agricultural roots, historically sustained by acequia systems. In conjunction with this event, the adjacent Edwin Brooks House features an exhibition of photographs by Sharon Stewart titled "Timeless Waters: Acequia Culture in New Mexico."

A highlight of the evening will be the opportunity to meet photographer Elizabeth Chiles, whose captivating exhibition will be on display in El Zaguán's gallery, presented in partnership with Richard Levy Gallery. Chiles explores themes of peace and interconnectedness in her work, drawing inspiration from her garden, a perfect parallel to the garden-to-table experience you will enjoy. She will be available to share her insights, and live music will enhance the atmosphere throughout the evening.

HSFF is also pleased to present a garden history with the lead of Santa Fe Extension Master Gardeners, Ruthbeth Finerman. She is an avid Historic Santa Fe Foundation supporter and a former professor and Ph.D. in Anthropology. She is a gardener at El Zaguán and has an adept knowledge of the vegetation on the grounds. She also wrote a history of the garden, especially as it relates to Maria Johnson, wife of Santa Fe Trail trader James L. Johnson, as part of HSFF's Interpretation of the grounds and buildings.

Your ticket purchase directly supports the Historic Santa Fe Foundation's crucial mission: to preserve and promote the historic properties and diverse cultural heritage in the Santa Fe area. Since 1961, we have been engaged in the community, highlighting the enduring importance of preservation.

This limited-capacity event promises an intimate and unforgettable experience. Secure your tickets today and become an essential part of our preservation story!

The Rook Garden & Greenhouse in Santa Fe, NM

Contact Anne Kelly with questions or inquiries about table purchases anne@historicsantafe.org or

505-983-2567


WHERE YOU WILL DINE

The Garden at El Zaguán

RUTHBETH FINERMAN BIO

Ruthbeth Finerman, Ph.D. is an Emeritus Professor of Medical Anthropology and Emeritus Chair of the Department of Anthropology at The University of Memphis (1985-2018). She completed Master Gardener certification from the Santa Fe Extension Master Gardener Association (SFEMG) in 2019 and Santa Fe Native Plant certification in 2020. Co-leader of SFEMG’s Garden at El Zaguán project, she collaborates with the Historic Santa Fe Foundation to preserve, maintain, and enhance the beauty and functionality of the historic flower garden as an educational space for the wider community. As a part of her role, she supervises and educates volunteer interns, master gardeners, and members of the public on plant identification, cultivation, care, and uses; native plants and beneficial native insects; and sustainable gardening practices.

Elizabeth Chiles exhibition at

El Zaguán|

Opening, Friday, August 8, 5-7 pm

On view August 1-30, 2025  

Harvest Dinner, Thursday, August 7, 6-9 pm

Panel Discussion, Saturday, August 9, 2 pm 

In partnership with Richard Levy Gallery

Contact Anne Kelly with questions or inquiries about table purchases anne@historicsantafe.org or

505-983-2567


Elizabeth Chiles

Stardust Dialogues, no. 05

Archival Pigment Ink Print

37 x 25 inches

Photographer Elizabeth Chiles

Represented by Richard Levy Gallery

ELIZABETH CHILES BIO

Born and raised in Texas, Elizabeth Chiles graduated with a B.A. in Art History from Columbia University and an M.F.A. in Photography from San Francisco Art Institute. Her work has been widely exhibited. The artist has taught over 30 courses in theory and photography at The University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University, and Southwestern University. Chiles currently teaches at St. Edward's University. She served on the Board of Trustees and was co-chair of programming at the Austin Center for Photography, mentors young artists, and has served as a juror on a number of grants and awards panels. She was honored as the City of Austin arts grant recipient from 2014–2021.

Contact Anne Kelly at anne@historicsantafe.org or 505-983-2567