While the Salon is a 16th-century Italian import, these gatherings flourished during 17th and 18th century France — an era known as the “Age of Enlightenment.” Hosted by the Salonnière, participants would congregate under the roof of the inspirational hostess to engage in lively conversations and debates – partly for entertainment, partly to cultivate their tastes and proliferate learning. Participants would discuss Philosophy, Science, Literature, The Arts, Languages, and Current Affairs.

At a time when women were expected to cultivate their needlepoint and knitting skills, Salons served as an informal university for women who wanted more. Although hosted by women, the speakers asked to address various topics were men — as these were considered the “learned” people of the day. Soon, men and women of the bourgeoisie began attending Salons as a way to seek the same educational opportunities previously afforded only to the wealthy and noble classes. These Salons offered patrons a venue to exchange ideas, read or show their own works, and receive/offer criticism.

The inspiration for Blue Stockings Salon & The Conversation Series comes from 18th-century French Salons made famous by Lady Elizabeth Montagu, a literary woman of the day. She created the Blue Stockings Society as a setting for clever conversation and informal sociability. Her Salons were attended by such renowned figures throughout history as Edmund Burke, Elizabeth Carter, Samuel Johnson, Catherine Talbot, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and others. Modernist author Gertrude Stein was also a prolific art collector and the host of many salons that included expatriate writers such as Ernest Hemingway and Ezra Pound. 

Enjoy high-quality connections: high touch and low tech. In our socially cyber-connected world, we’ve lost the art and capability to connect emotionally with meaningful interactions that stimulate our hearts and minds. Blue Stockings Salon will nurture this fundamental human need to promote a better quality of life.

Open your mind to new perspectives, akin to the 18th-century Salons, our speakers and events will focus on issues such as Life Sciences, The Arts, Literature, Business and Current Affairs.