Old Westbury Gardens Hosts "Korean Culture Day"
By Niall Fitzgerald
Last Saturday, Old Westbury Gardens hosted its first ever "Korean Culture Day" - which was a huge success. Hundreds of local residents came-out to celebrate Korean culture, sample authentic Korean food, and enjoy traditional Korean dances and music. Minsun Kim, the President of the Museum of Korean American Heritage - and a Human Rights Commissioner of Nassau County - made opening remarks, and was joined by Carol Large, the Chair of Old Westbury Gardens. “We were so pleased to host the first ever Korean Culture Day with Minsun Kim for Old Westbury Gardens,” said Carol Large. “All of the performers, the kimchi and other delicious dishes were wonderful and we thank Minsun and her committee for creating this event. We look forward to Korean Culture Day being an annual event on our fall calendar." Joining in the festivities were Supervisor Jen DeSena of North Hempstead; Kwang Suk Kim, President of Korean American Association of Greater NY (KAAGNY); and Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips. The event featured performances by the YWCA Evergreen Korean Percussion Team, the New York Arirang Folk Song Chorus, Lisma J Dance School, the KCS Korean Traditional Dance Team, and the Master Jeon US Tae Kwon Do School. Traditional Korean delicacies including, kimchi, fried mandoo (dumplings), and tofu dishes were made on site and tastings were offered for free to attendees. The celebration was sponsored by the Yu Gwan Sun Award Committee, the Museum of Korean American Heritage and LISMA J-Dance. The event, which was free with admission, was sponsored by Old Westbury Gardens, Food Bazaar, and The Americana Manhasset. Old Westbury Gardens was built in 1906 as the manor home of lawyer and businessman John S. Phipps and his wife, Margarita Grace Phipps. The Phipps family later donated the home and its 100 acres of woods and beautiful gardens, to be held for the benefit of the community. Old Westbury Gardens welcomes visitors of all ages for a wide range of historical, cultural, artistic, educational, horticultural events.