HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES FESTIVAL FINALE: MIMOSAS AT THE MUSEUM PRESENTED BY LAURA ASHLEY

CHARLESTON, SC (March 15, 2023) – Historic Charleston Foundation is proud to announce Laura Ashley, one of the world's best-loved home and lifestyle brands, as the presenting sponsor for the 76th Annual Festival of Houses &
Gardens finale event at the Aiken-Rhett House Museum (48 Elizabeth Street, Charleston, SC) on Sunday, April 16 from 10 am - 1 pm.

The Festival Finale: Mimosas at the Museum presented by Laura Ashley is a new, exclusive event and an opportunity to celebrate Laura Ashley's 70th Anniversary and the brand's iconic prints, as well as to toast one of the country’s largest and longest house and garden festivals.

Highlights of the Festival Finale: Mimosas at the Museum presented by Laura Ashley include:

• Guests will experience the grandeur of the property alongside a mini exhibition/pop up archive celebrating Laura Ashley’s 70th Anniversary and rich history in design.
• Be among the first to see the Laura Ashley Jeep Grand Wagoneer, a newly restored 1987 vehicle with custom interiors including Laura Ashley fabrics. A study in Laura Ashley's iconic prints and nostalgia, the Wagoneer has been re-envisioned and restored by Southern hospitality and lifestyle experts Jennifer and Michael Satterfield of @growinguptexas, who will also be in attendance.
• Artisans and creators will come together to celebrate with event demonstrations following in the brand founder Laura Ashley’s footsteps rooted in entrepreneurial ambition and traditional values of quality and originality.
• Historic Charleston Foundation staff will offer guided tours within the historic Aiken-Rhett House Museum, a 1820s antebellum mansion unique in its preservation style and preserved-as-found, for short tours and talks.
• Guests will also enjoy live music, a Lowcountry brunch, bottomless mimosas and a tea and coffee bar in beautiful surroundings decorated in the Laura Ashley home collection.

Beneath the historic house's grand live oaks, the event's décor and linens will also pay homage to 70 years of Laura Ashley and its design legacy. As the presenting sponsor, Laura Ashley generously supports Historic Charleston
Foundation's mission-aligned work in preservation, advocacy, and education.

For tickets and information, please visit HistoricCharleston.org/festival or call 843.722.3405.

About 76th Annual Festival of Houses & Gardens:

Since 1947, Historic Charleston Foundation’s annual Festival of Houses & Gardens has provided an intimate glimpse into some of the most beautiful homes and gardens in Charleston, SC. From March 15 through April 16, Festival attendees enjoy a rare opportunity to go inside historic houses and distinctive gardens on the peninsula as well as attend special events – all highlighting Charleston's rich history and culture. As the Foundation’s largest educational and fundraising tool each year, the vital support received from Festival patrons, donors and partners enables the organization to fulfill its mission – to champion the historic authenticity, cultural character, and livability of the Charleston region through advocacy, stewardship, and community engagement.

Why the Festival of Houses & Gardens is important:

• Annually, The Festival of Houses & Gardens attracts visitors from across the country to patron Charleston restaurants, hotels, and retail establishments. On average, 70% of Festival tickets are sold to guests from out of state.
• A variety of events highlight Charleston’s rich cultural and architectural history.
• Events engage and collaborate with locally owned businesses to present workshops and programming.
• Parallel opportunities to Live Like a Local are available for both tourists and locals alike.

About Historic Charleston Foundation:
Established in 1947, Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the history, architecture, and culture of Charleston. In its 75th year, the Foundation is known for its preservation and

advocacy programs including protective covenants and easements; education and outreach; and it is the first organization in the country to establish a revolving fund to acquire and preserve historic buildings, a model now replicated in historic communities across the nation. Preservation coupled with education and outreach is at the heart of the HCF mission. HCF fulfills its educational mission through the interpretation of its collections and two Museum Houses: the Nathaniel Russell House, c. 1808 and the Aiken-Rhett House, c. 1820.

About Laura Ashley:
Established in London in 1953, Laura Ashley is one of the world’s best-loved fashion and home furnishings brands. Currently, Laura Ashley offers a complete range of lifestyle products, including home furnishings and accessories, women’s sleepwear and accessories, children's apparel and hospitality experiences. For additional information, visit www.lauraashleyusa.com. Laura Ashley, Inc., a master licensee of LAIPH (a Gordon Brothers company), is based in Fort Mill, SC.

About Gordon Brothers:
Since 1903, Gordon Brothers (www.gordonbrothers.com) has helped lenders, operating executives, advisors, and investors move forward through change. The firm brings a powerful combination of expertise and capital to clients, developing customized solutions on an integrated or standalone basis across four services areas: valuations, dispositions, operations, and investments. Whether to fuel growth or facilitate strategic consolidation, Gordon Brothers partners with companies in the retail, commercial and industrial sectors to put assets to their highest and best use. Gordon Brothers conducts more than $70 billion worth of dispositions and appraisals annually. Gordon Brothers is headquartered in Boston, with over 30 offices across five continents.

Historic Charleston Foundation Images:
https://hcfsc.info/festival2023pressimages
Laura Ashley Images: https://lauraashley.sharefile.com/d-sd9eca0e748fb4b40a03f7875c9252a08