The Katharine Hepburn Garden Party in Midtown Manhattan is a beloved tradition that has been going on for over two decades. Last weekend, local residents gathered to celebrate what would have been the actress’s 117th birthday.
The party, held at the garden named after Hepburn in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, featured live music, cake, and coffee. Attendees reminisced about Hepburn’s time in the neighborhood, where she was known for her down-to-earth nature, shoveling snow and taking out her own trash.
Hepburn’s advocacy for preserving trees and green spaces in the neighborhood was also highlighted, as well as her love for nature and gardening. The small oasis dedicated to her in the plaza features inscriptions of Hepburnisms and scenes from her classic films.
Speakers at the event shared stories of Hepburn’s legacy, from her early activism with her suffragette mother to her influence on college traditions. The Manhattan Borough president even addressed concerns about green scaffolding in the park, promising to work on getting it removed.
As the jazz band played and guests mingled, the sense of community and admiration for Hepburn was palpable. Residents like Meryl Brodsky and Robert Rosenblatt shared their own connections to Hepburn and the neighborhood, keeping her memory alive in Turtle Bay.
The Katharine Hepburn Garden Party is not just a celebration of a Hollywood legend, but a tribute to a woman who truly made an impact on the community she called home.
