PARK Magazine

LOOK BACK
Joan Rivers Karen LeFrak & Leonard Lauder
The Hat Luncheon
FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED AWARDS
Andy Warhol once said, “If you don’t know Patrick McMullan, you ought to get out more.” Here,
McMullan shares a photo history of the Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy’s
signature event, The Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon, always the highlight of the
Spring’s social season. This benefit, founded in 1983, is fondly known as the Hat Luncheon
because the city’s chicest ladies don their most fabulous chapeaux. McMullan has covered this
luncheon since its inception and has picked a few of his favorite photos from the 2005 to 2021
events. This glamorous lunch, attended by over 1,200 park lovers, raised over 2.8 million last year
towards the care, restoration, and enhancement of the park. To date, the Women’s Committee has
raised more than 195 million for NYC’s urban oasis. This year’s luncheon will be held in May. I suggest
you buy your tickets early as this stellar afternoon always sells out. centralparknyc.org​
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PATRICK MCMULLAN