Jean Strouse is the author of Morgan: American Financier and Alice James: A Biography, which won the Bancroft Prize in American History and Diplomacy. Her essays and reviews have appeared in The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Newsweek, and other publications. Strouse has been President of the Society of American Historians, a consultant (oral historian) to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and a Fellow of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. She served as the Sue Ann and John Weinberg Director of the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers at The New York Public Library from 2003 to 2017. Jean provided the Society with valuable advice on Morgan's connection to the Canal Company and opened doors for us at the Morgan Library.

Philip S. Palmer is Robert H. Taylor Curator and Department Head, Literary & Historical Manuscripts and Archives at the Morgan Library in New York City. Philip provided us with grand documentation of Morgan's feasts and wine loves on which the entire meal here was based.

Lynne Calamia is a leader in the field of Public History, with more than a decade of broad, hands-on experience at museums, historic sites, and archives. At the core of her work is the drive to turn historical stories into engaging experiences that make history accessible and relevant for people today.

Lynne holds a PhD (2015) in American Studies from Penn State University and her academic research on historic preservation and labor history prepared her for her role at Roebling Museum, a hidden-gem industrial history site in New Jersey. Since joining the staff, Lynne has dedicated herself to preserving and sharing the stories of the former company town that housed workers who built iconic suspension bridges in the US such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, and George Washington Bridge. Under her leadership, the museum created dynamic programs, exhibits, and tours that celebrate the stories of everyday people who lived and worked in Roebling.  Most notably, she has built new relationships with descendant families to expand and diversify the museum’s collection, partnered with the Smithsonian on an exhibit about labor in the United States, and acquired a historic immigrant-worker’s house across the street from the museum to turn into an immersive experience for visitors.  

Kevin is a beloved neighbor (a resident of New Paltz) and a figure of international renown in the food and wine world. His Windows on the World Wine Course is America’s largest-selling wine book and may be the largest-selling wine book ever. He is also the nation’s most respected and popular wine educator. Among his many honors is the most prestigious one in food and wine, the Lifetime Achievement Award of the James Beard Foundation. Kevin serves as a valued member of the Canal Society’s Advisory Board.

Laurel co-founded the legendary jazz vocal group Manhattan Transfer. She is a world-renowned vocalist whose repertoire encompasses jazz, folk, cabaret, and classical music. She is a mainstay of the Ashokan Music and Dance Camps. Her voice has been heard on more than 40 albums, including four certified gold and platinum albums with Manhattan Transfer, and she has made numerous TV appearances.

Vinnie toured extensively on the international stage as co-leader of the Jazz Fusion Quartet with Dave Brubeck. He has composed scores for  many TV dramas and for Broadway and Off-Broadway plays. He is Professor Emeritus in Jazz Performance at SUNY New Paltz and served as Chair of that school’s Music Department.