NNV Program Helps Solve Mystery behind an Iconic Photo
NNV Program Plays Small Role in Solving the Mystery behind an Iconic Photo
It’s not all that unique to hear stories about members and volunteers making connections from the common threads they’ve discovered from getting to know one another. But it is not every day that these connections make it to the front page of The Washington Post! Such was the case when a Northwest Neighbors Village (NNV) program became the catalyst in solving the mystery behind an iconic photo taken 50 years ago.
“I was one of the ‘diners’ at the breakfast.” Betsy saw NNV’s promotion for Joyce Boghosian’s program Photos from Beirut to the White House: A Father-Daughter Legacy. Upon seeing the award-winning photographer Harry Naltchayan mentioned, Betsy signed up. She knew of Harry. He had taken the photo that hangs in her dining room. The one of her and her friends at a birthday breakfast on the National Mall. Betsy reached out to NNV with an email that included the image and a note to share with Joyce informing her that she was in the photo that Joyce’s father had taken. This moment of serendipity led to the telling of a beautiful story about friendship and legacy.
“I can’t tell you how amazing this has been ever since the NNV event that you invited me to.” Joyce had been captivated by the photo, and had always been curious about the story behind the image. After the NNV talk, Joyce and Betsy got in touch and the story began to unfold. The extravagant breakfast on the Mall, which included engraved invitations, a meal catered by Avignon Freres (the premier caterer of the time), and the guest of honor’s arrival by horse and carriage, was coordinated by a group of friends who had a penchant for organizing elaborate birthday parties for one another. This particular event was in honor of their friend Janet. It was such an unusual site that it caught the eye of Washington Post photographer Harry Naltchayan. To the great surprise of this group of friends, the image of their breakfast made local and national news!
“A day when no other news occurred.” Betsy shared that friends and family from all over the country sent newspaper clippings to the group that was photographed that day. Janet created scrapbooks for her friends, compiling the news stories, the invitation, the National Park Service permit that allowed them to host the affair, and even a letter from the head waiter, Mac. The material in the scrapbooks would prove invaluable in helping to recreate the photo 50 years later. The friends sat in their respective seats. Sadly, some seats were empty, including the one at the head of the table that belonged to Janet who died of breast cancer at a young age.
“Thank you for your friendship and celebrating this beautiful story.” Joyce was there for the recreation of the photo, including other new participants like the head waiter Mac’s daughters. With the table set and everyone in their places, Joyce Boghosian recreated her father’s iconic photo 50 years later. The breakfast attendees in the photo have remained lifelong friends, celebrating birthdays and Thanksgiving for decades.
“The impact of the Village is beyond what anyone could have imagined!” We were in touch with Betsy and Joyce after the story ran in The Post. Having played a small role, NNV was humbled to be mentioned. Both women felt that the connection made through the NNV program was pivotal in retelling their story. Betsy said, “It wouldn’t have happened without you.”
Our sincerest thanks to Betsy and Joyce for sharing their story with us, and to NNV volunteers David Cohen and Jan Solomon whose role in planning the program sparked a series of events that led to something very special.