Jean Shafiroff and Antonella Bertello of The Baker House 1650 Celebrate Summer Social Hour
Every summer in the Hamptons begins with a moment. Not a date on the calendar, but a gathering. A celebration. A signal that the East End has awakened once again. This year, that moment arrived over Memorial Day Weekend when internationally renowned philanthropist, humanitarian, television host, author, and social leader Jean Shafiroff joined Antonella Bertello, proprietor of The Baker House 1650, to welcome an elegant gathering of guests for a Summer Social Hour Soirée at one of the Hamptons’ most treasured historic properties.
Held at The Baker House 1650, located at 181 Main Street in East Hampton Village, the event marked the unofficial opening of the 2026 Hamptons season. Guests mingled among beautifully manicured gardens while enjoying cocktails, lively conversation, and the effortless sophistication that has made the East End one of the world’s most coveted summer destinations. Yet this celebration represented something much larger than the start of another social season. It represented the continuation of a remarkable American story nearly four centuries in the making.
As the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of its founding in 2026, the Hamptons stands as one of the nation’s most extraordinary examples of history, preservation, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and luxury living. Today, this collection of villages at the eastern end of Long Island attracts visitors from across Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and every corner of the United States. It is a destination spoken of in the same breath as Saint-Tropez, Capri, Monaco, Mykonos, Palm Beach, Aspen, and the Amalfi Coast. Yet unlike many luxury destinations around the world, the Hamptons possesses something far more valuable than wealth alone. It possesses a soul.
THE BIRTH OF THE HAMPTONS: AN AMERICAN STORY
Long before luxury estates, private aviation, designer boutiques, and superyachts became synonymous with the Hamptons, the region was home to Native American communities, including the Shinnecock and Montaukett peoples, whose stewardship of the land stretches back thousands of years.
English settlers arrived during the seventeenth century, establishing Southampton in 1640 and East Hampton in 1648, making them among the oldest English settlements in New York State and among the earliest surviving communities in America. The region’s early economy was built on agriculture, fishing, livestock, and maritime trade. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Sag Harbor became one of the most important whaling ports in the United States, rivaling Nantucket and New Bedford as a center of maritime commerce and wealth.
Today, visitors can still experience this history throughout the East End. Historic windmills stand proudly against the skyline. Colonial homes remain preserved. Churches, barns, and village greens continue to tell the story of early America. Organizations such as the Southampton History Museum, East Hampton Historical Society, Preservation Long Island, and numerous local preservation groups have worked tirelessly to protect these irreplaceable landmarks from development and modernization. In many ways, the Hamptons serves as a living museum of American history. Few destinations in the nation offer such a compelling blend of heritage and modern luxury.
THE HAMPTONS’ TRANSFORMATION INTO A GLOBAL ICON
The arrival of the Long Island Rail Road during the nineteenth century transformed the East End from an agricultural and maritime community into a summer retreat for New York’s elite. Industrialists, financiers, politicians, artists, and business leaders began constructing magnificent summer homes throughout Southampton, East Hampton, and beyond. By the early twentieth century, the Hamptons had become a seasonal playground for America’s most influential families. Today, that evolution continues.
The Hamptons is now recognized as one of the wealthiest seasonal destinations in the world. Wall Street executives, technology entrepreneurs, entertainment leaders, fashion icons, professional athletes, media moguls, and international business figures maintain residences throughout the region. The East End’s luxury real estate market routinely records transactions exceeding tens of millions of dollars, while private aircraft arrive daily throughout the summer season. Yet despite its extraordinary prosperity, the Hamptons remains remarkably authentic. Working farms continue to thrive. Fishing boats still leave harbor before sunrise. Artists continue to find inspiration in its landscapes. Historic villages remain carefully preserved. And philanthropy remains deeply woven into its cultural fabric.
EXPLORING THE HAMPTONS: EACH VILLAGE TELLS ITS OWN STORY
Southampton remains the grand dame of the Hamptons. Its elegant estates, private clubs, world-class beaches, and historic architecture have made it a symbol of American achievement for generations. Coopers Beach consistently ranks among the finest beaches in the country, while Southampton’s cultural institutions and charitable events remain cornerstones of the social calendar.
East Hampton combines sophistication with artistic heritage. Its boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and historic neighborhoods attract celebrities, financiers, fashion executives, and cultural leaders from around the world. Main Beach remains one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in America.
Bridgehampton has emerged as a center of equestrian culture, luxury lifestyle, and innovation. Home to polo fields, horse farms, and some of the East End’s most spectacular estates, the village continues to evolve with new destinations such as The HUB, a modern gathering place designed to bring together shopping, dining, culture, wellness, and community engagement.
Sag Harbor offers a distinctly different experience. Once a bustling whaling port, it has become one of the East End’s most charming waterfront villages. Magnificent yachts fill the marina during the summer months, while boutique shopping, waterfront dining, and maritime heritage create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in New York.
Amagansett remains beloved for its understated luxury and natural beauty. Water Mill continues to attract art collectors and cultural enthusiasts, particularly through the renowned Parrish Art Museum.
And then there is Montauk. Raw. Authentic. Adventurous. Perched at the easternmost edge of Long Island, Montauk has become a destination for surfers, fishermen, sailors, creatives, and travelers seeking a more rugged version of Hamptons luxury. Ditch Plains attracts surfers from around the world. Charter fishing boats depart daily. Nightlife pulses throughout the season. The iconic Montauk Lighthouse remains one of the most recognizable landmarks on the East Coast.
WHY THE WORLD COMES TO THE HAMPTONS
The Hamptons offers an experience unlike any other destination in America. Visitors arrive by yacht, helicopter, private jet, luxury automobile, train, and ferry. They come for the beaches. They come for the vineyards. They come for the shopping. They come for the food and the nightlife.
The region’s farm-to-table culinary scene has become internationally recognized, supported by generations of family-owned farms producing fresh produce, flowers, seafood, and artisanal products. The North Fork and South Fork wine regions have emerged as respected destinations for wine enthusiasts, with vineyards producing award-winning varietals while offering unforgettable tasting experiences. Golfers enjoy some of the country’s most celebrated courses. Horse enthusiasts gather for polo matches, equestrian competitions, and the world-famous Hampton Classic Horse Show. Boating enthusiasts explore the Atlantic Ocean, Peconic Bay, Gardiners Bay, and numerous marinas throughout the region. The East End has become a paradise for wellness, luxury hospitality, outdoor recreation, and cultural exploration.
THE HEARTBEAT OF THE HAMPTONS: PHILANTHROPY
Despite its reputation for glamour, one of the defining characteristics of the Hamptons is its commitment to giving back. Throughout the summer season, charitable organizations raise millions of dollars through galas, benefits, auctions, concerts, and community events supporting healthcare, education, conservation, animal welfare, historic preservation, and the arts. At the center of that philanthropic ecosystem stands Jean Shafiroff. Recognized globally for her charitable leadership, Shafiroff has become one of the most influential voices in modern philanthropy. As the author of the acclaimed book “Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give,” she has inspired countless individuals to embrace charitable giving and community engagement. Her work extends far beyond fundraising.
Shafiroff serves on the boards of numerous organizations, including the French Heritage Society, Southampton Hospital Foundation, NYC Mission Society, Couture Council of the Museum at FIT, New York Women’s Foundation, Casita Maria, Global Strays, and the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation Honorary Board.She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County and previously served on the board of The Jewish Board for nearly three decades. Each year, she chairs and supports numerous charitable events benefiting causes ranging from healthcare and education to women’s rights, underserved communities, and animal welfare.
Her 2026 summer calendar reflects that extraordinary commitment. Among the season’s highlights, Shafiroff will be honored by the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center (SOFO) at its 37th Annual Gala Benefit on July 11. She is also serving as co-chair of the Southampton History Museum’s prestigious Halsey House Gala alongside Mary Slattery on July 3. In addition, LTV Studios will present her with the Francis Ann Dougherty Award for Broadcast Philanthropy during the opening of the Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea on June 28.These honors reflect her remarkable influence not only within the Hamptons but throughout the philanthropic world.
THE WOMAN BEHIND THE BAKER HOUSE
Equally impressive is Antonella Bertello, whose leadership has transformed The Baker House 1650 into one of the East End’s most distinctive hospitality destinations. A graduate of Babson College with a degree in economics, management, and finance, Bertello has built an impressive career spanning luxury real estate, design, development, hospitality, and philanthropy. As a licensed real estate professional with Corcoran and a member of both the Multi-Million Dollar Club and President’s Council, she works across the New York, Hamptons, Miami, and international markets.
Her entrepreneurial vision extends far beyond New York. Among her most ambitious projects is Marina Coast Peru, a groundbreaking waterfront development scheduled to open in 2027. The project is expected to become the first world-class superyacht marina and luxury residential destination on Peru’s South Pacific Coast. Yet Bertello’s impact extends beyond business. She remains deeply involved in charitable initiatives supporting cancer research, animal welfare, arts organizations, Guild Hall, the Hamptons International Film Festival, ARF Hamptons, New York City Second Chance Rescue, the Samuel Waxman Institute for Cancer Research, and Mission Huascarán. Her commitment to community leadership has also included service with the East Hampton Village Foundation and the Greater East Hampton Chamber of Commerce.
THE BAKER HOUSE 1650: WHERE HISTORY MEETS MODERN LUXURY
Few properties embody the spirit of the Hamptons more completely than The Baker House 1650. Inspired by seventeenth-century English Cotswold architecture, the property transports guests to another era while providing the comforts and sophistication expected by today’s luxury traveler. The inn has become renowned for its intimate atmosphere, refined hospitality, and timeless beauty.
Recently recognized by Condé Nast Johansens, The Baker House enters the 2026 season with significant momentum, further strengthened through a partnership with Hamptons Polo House that connects luxury hospitality, equestrian tradition, and East End social life. It is precisely the kind of destination that reminds visitors why the Hamptons remains unlike anywhere else in the world.
THE GATHERING THAT OPENED SUMMER
Against this backdrop, Jean Shafiroff and Antonella Bertello’s Memorial Day Weekend Social Summer Hour Soirée felt particularly meaningful. The guest list reflected the breadth and diversity of the Hamptons community.
Among those attending were Jean Shafiroff, Antonella Bertello, Michele Heary, Nicole Noonan, Robin Fleming, Will Stokes, Robert Farrier, Eunyoung Song, Mark Seidenfeld, Maria van Vlodrop, Bill Boggs, New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Jerry Kremer, Susan Kremer, Victoria Wyman, Jim McCartney, Meghan McCartney, and Kim DeGraff.
Together, they celebrated not only the beginning of another season but the enduring spirit that has made the Hamptons a global symbol of excellence, beauty, generosity, and aspiration. As summer 2026 unfolds, visitors will once again discover why generations of travelers, tastemakers, artists, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers continue to be drawn to the East End. They come for the beaches. They come for the vineyards. They come for the yachts. They come for the culture. They come for the history.
But they stay because the Hamptons offers something increasingly rare in the modern world: a place where luxury, community, preservation, philanthropy, and purpose exist in perfect harmony.
And if the season-opening gathering at The Baker House 1650 is any indication, the summer ahead promises to be one of the most memorable in Hamptons history.
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