ASH History
Gutta cavat lapidem, non vi sed saepe cadendo.
Born in New York City, the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes (ASH) is the first women’s Sherlockian society. Founded by a group of women at Albertus Magnus College in the late 1960s and led by Principal Unprincipled Adventuress Evelyn Herzog, ASH turned the tables and created a space of their own. ASH achieved early notoriety when its members picketed the Annual Dinner of the Baker Street Irregulars in protest of the BSI policy of excluding women. For the next 25 years, ASH thrived with its own (coeducational) dinner on the same night as the annual BSI dinner.
Women were finally invited into the BSI in 1991, and selected Adventuresses were among the first to be invested. That same year, ASH invested four special male Baker Street Irregulars into their ranks. As more Adventuresses were invited to attend the BSI dinners, the traditional January ASH dinner was replaced by The Baskerville Bash (1997-2006), an event now called The Gaslight Gala. An informal ASH Wednesday dinner and Sunday brunch now bracket the annual Birthday Weekend festivities in New York City.
In 2006, ASH history was made with M.E. Rich’s announcement that in 2008, the 40th anniversary year of ASH, men would be allowed to make an ASH of themselves. In January 2008, longtime ASH Peter Blau was joined by nineteen friendly Sherlockian men who enthusiastically swelled the ranks of fully-invested ASH.
The Fight for Equality
1968
The Founding of ASH
A group of women studying at Albertus Magnus College in the late 1960s, including Evelyn A. Herzog, Mary Kay Mulligan, Carol Muschler, Linda Patterson, Mary Ellen Rich, and Marilyn Travinski, band together to form the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes, becoming the very first women’s Sherlockian Society.
BSI Dinner Protest
Led by Principal Unprincipled Adventuress Evelyn Herzog, ASH members picketed the Annual Dinner of the Baker Street Irregulars in protest of the BSI policy of excluding women.
1991
First Women Invested into BSI
The Baker Street Irregulars finally invited women into their ranks with selected Adventuresses among the first to be invested.
Four BSI Invested into ASH
Four special male Baker Street Irregulars were invested into ASH.
2006
M.E. Rich’s Announcement
Founding Adventuress M.E. Rich’s announced that in 2008, the 40th anniversary year of ASH, men would be allowed to make an ASH of themselves.
2008
40th Anniversary of ASH
ASH Celebrates 40 years of community.
ASH Opens Investiture to Men
In January 2008, longtime ASH Peter Blau was joined by nineteen friendly Sherlockian men who enthusiastically swelled the ranks of fully-invested ASH.
Founding Adventuresses
In the late 1960s, six trailblazing adventuresses came together to create ASH in protest of BSI’s exclusion of women, forming the very first women’s Sherlockian society. Without these women, ASH would not exist, nor would women be allowed to join the ranks of the BSI.
Evelyn A. Herzog
“Violet Hunter”
Mary Kay Mulligan
“Martha”
Linda Patterson
“Lady ‘X’ (CHAS)”
Carol Muschler
“Alice Morphy”
Mary Ellen Rich
“La Jeune Fille à l’Agneau”
Marilyn Travinski
“Victoria”
Relive the Memories
Born out of the very first BSI protests, Adventuresses gather every year to make merry, meet new friends and see old ones, give toasts, sing traditional ASH songs, and of course, discuss all things Sherlock Holmes! Explore the timeline below to reminisce about past ASH and Sherlockian events.
19 November 2016
2016 Autumn Luncheon
The 2016 Autumn Luncheon brought together approximately sixty ASH members and friends at Tony’s di Napoli for a celebration of Sherlockian camaraderie, featuring toasts, musical performances, and engaging presentations inspired by the Holmesian canon.
3 April 2016
2016 Spring Luncheon
Fifty-three ASH members gathered at the Fillmore Room on April 3 for the spring meeting, featuring toasts, including Paula Cohen’s reprise of her Victorian Age tribute, and traditional songs.
3 April 2016
15 January 2016
2016 Gaslight Gala
The 2016 Gaslight Gala–held at the Manhattan Club on January 15–celebrated Sherlockian fellowship with songs, a themed radio play, quizzes, and a silent auction, all expertly organized by co-chairs Nick Martorelli and Chris Zordan.
9 November 2015
2015 Autumn Luncheon
Fifty-two ASH members came together on November 9 at Moran’s restaurant for the Autumn Luncheon, enjoying a mix of traditional and special toasts, insightful talks on Holmesian themes, and the beloved ASH songs accompanied by illustrated song sheets.
9 November 2015
9 May 2015
2015 Spring Luncheon
On May 9, fifty-six ASH members gathered at Moran’s Restaurant for the annual luncheon, where attendees took home items from Joe Moran’s collection, generously donated by his family, and concluded with the traditional ASH songs.
16 November 2014
2014 Autumn Luncheon
On November 16, sixty-five ASH members gathered at Tony’s di Napoli for the Autumn Luncheon with greetings from Italy and a tribute performance of “Fascinatin’ Bitch” in memory of Maureen Green.
16 November 2014
24 May 2014
2014 Spring Luncheon
The Annual Spring Luncheon on May 24 saw fifty-five ASH members at Moran’s Chelsea Restaurant, where they still enjoyed traditional toasts, special tributes to the Canon, lively performances, and–of course–ended with the familiar ASH songs.
9 November 2013
2013 Autumn Luncheon
On November 9, fifty-two ASH members met up at Moran’s restaurant for the Autumn Luncheon, where they enjoyed presentations, including E.J. Wagner’s talk on the real-life model for Charles Augustus Milverton and Maggie Schnader’s discussion on how DEVI might have been written by Henry James or P.G. Wodehouse.
9 November 2013
4 May 2013
2013 Spring Luncheon
On May 4, thirty-two ASH members gathered at the Black Duck Restaurant to celebrate spring with traditional toasts, including M.E. Rich’s toast recognizing racing and the derby, along with enjoying presentations on a variety of topics, and concluded with the beloved ASH songs.
20 October 2012
2012 Autumn Luncheon
On October 20, forty-three ASH members gathered at Moran’s restaurant for the Autumn Luncheon, where they also enjoyed Laurie Fraser Manifold’s creative illustrations for the song sheets and listened to insightful talks on Sherlockian topics like “The Mystery of Isadora Persano” and Irene Adler’s early years.
20 October 2012
12 May 2012
2012 Spring Luncheon
On May 12, forty-seven ASH members attended the luncheon at the Black Duck Restaurant, where they not only gave toasts but also enjoyed Terry Hunt’s discussion on Watson the bigamist and Richard Kitts’ story about receiving a congratulatory reply from Queen Elizabeth II on her diamond jubilee.
20 November 2011
2011 Autumn Luncheon
On November 20, sixty-seven ASH members gathered at Moran’s Restaurant for the Autumn Luncheon, where they celebrated newlyweds Susan Rice and Mickey Fromkin, enjoyed insightful presentations on Canonical history and women in Sherlock Holmes stories, and concluded with ASH songs illustrated by Laurie Fraser Manifold.
20 November 2011
15 May 2011
2011 Spring Luncheon
On May 15, thirty-five ASH members gathered at the Black Duck restaurant for toasts, presentations on Canonical Royal Marriages, and the reading of a report about Patricia Guy’s scion, before concluding with the traditional ASH songs.
5 December 2010
2010 Autumn Luncheon
On December 5, forty-one ASH members gathered at the Black Duck Restaurant for traditional toasts, special tributes, and presentations on topics such as women in the BSI and ACD’s involvement in the United Divorce Reform League, wrapping up with the traditional ASH songs (except for “Aunt Clara”).
5 December 2010
5 June 2010
2010 Spring Dinner
We didn’t have details on this Dinner.
2009
2009 Autumn Luncheon
Fifty-four ASH members gathered at the Cavatappo Grill for toasts honoring figures like Queen Victoria and Irene Adler, special tributes to women in the Canon, and talks on topics like anarchists in Paris, ending with lively ASH songs and whimsical illustrations of bobblehead dolls on the song sheets.
2009
30 May 2009
2009 Spring Dinner
At Moran’s Chelsea Restaurant on May 30, ASH and friends gathered for the annual spring meeting, where they enjoyed traditional toasts, special equine-themed tributes, and presentations on topics like the origins of ASH and BSI, concluding with the customary ASH songs.
2008
2008 Autumn Luncheon
During the event, attendees enjoyed traditional toasts, including one to General Charles “Chinese” Gordon, and participated in a lively quiz on tea in the Canon, followed by a discussion of “A Tale of Two Portraits” and the singing of favorite ASH songs.
2008
May 31, 2008
2008 Spring Dinner
Forty ASH and friends gathered at Bill’s Gay Nineties Restaurant in Manhattan on May 31 for the annual spring meeting. This year’s gathering was a luncheon instead of the traditional dinner. We welcomed enthusiastically many of the nineteen newly-announced male ASH.
1 December 2007
2007 Autumn Luncheon
In addition to the traditional toasts, over fifty attendees at the December 1 gathering enjoyed a reworked version of “The Night Before Christmas” from Moriarty’s perspective, presented by Bob Bousquet, followed by the singing of favorite ASH songs.
1 December 2007
2007
2007 Spring Dinner
In addition to the traditional toasts, attendees enjoyed a lively performance of How Watson Learned the Trick by the Raincoat Theatre, featuring Sabina Hollis, Laurie Fraser Manifold, and Michael Pollak.
2 December 2006
2006 Autumn Luncheon
In a historic moment, M.E. Rich and Evelyn Herzog announced that men would now have the opportunity to become ASH members, eliciting lively reactions before the evening continued with Dr. Joe Fink’s unique take on the giant rat of Sumatra.
2 December 2006
April 2006
Springtime in Baker Street
Many Adventuresses participated enthusiastically in the Springtime in Baker Street weekend, which was brilliantly coordinated and executed by Bob and Terry Thomalen. Susan Rice gave a fascinating and thought-provoking talk on Sherlock Holmes and the “Great Game,” while Carol Fish closed out the weekend with a moving reading of William Schweikert’s “A Long Evening with Holmes.”
13 May 2006
2006 Spring Dinner
The evening was filled with heartfelt tributes, as Marina Stajic’s toast to Friendship honored the memories of Marlene Aig and Pat Moran, while M.E. Rich and others shared recollections of cherished Adventuresses who had passed.
13 May 2006
2006
2006 Baskerville Bash
The 2006 Bash theme was “The Sherl-Oscar Awards,” presented by The Academy of Sherlockian Arts and Scionces.4 November 2005
2005 Autumn Luncheon
The evening concluded with a fascinating discovery, as Evelyn Herzog spotted a framed portrait of Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia—the first woman in the world to receive a university degree—adding a historical touch to the gathering.
4 November 2005
28 May 2005
2005 Spring Dinner
The evening’s entertainment reached a comedic high point when Laurie Manifold and Catalina Hannan performed a Sherlockian twist on Abbott and Costello’s classic “Who’s On First,” struggling to clarify a program change involving multiple Adventuresses named Susan.
2005
2005 Baskerville Bash
The 2005 Bash featured a 1930’s Radio Hour highlighted by the game show Queen for an Hour and the soap opera, Search for the Days of Tomorrow As The Copper Beeches Turn.2005
15 October 2004
2004 Autumn Luncheon
The ASH autumn meeting at Pete’s Tavern featured many things, one of which including a tribute to O. Henry, and the debut of “Raincoat Theatre” with Holmes and Watson puppets.
5 June 2004
2004 Spring Dinner
At the June 5, 2004, ASH gathering at Étoile, toasts celebrated horseracing and Canonical crowns, with highlights including a toast to the Queen, scholarly musings on the crowns in the Canon, and a humorous performance by the Golden Girls, followed by lively ASH songs.
5 June 2004
2004
2004 Baskerville Bash
The 2004 Bash was a special treat this year as it featured a Victorian Music Hall with performers who sang and danced some old and new favorites for the admiring crowd.18 October 2003
2003 Autumn Luncheon
At the October 18, 2003, ASH meeting at Moran’s, the theme of “Friendship” inspired toasts to various relationships from the Canon, a fun “This or That” game hosted by Laurie Manifold, and a hilarious Ab Fab sketch by Elyse Locurto and Catalina Hannan, all capped off by lively ASH songs.
18 October 2003
31 May 2003
2003 Spring Dinner
On May 31, over forty Adventuresses gathered at Moran’s for the Spring Dinner, where traditional toasts were followed by presentations on Sherlockian settings and friendship, and the evening concluded with ASH songs, including the playful “Sniff, Sniff for Old Pinchin Lane.”
2003
2003 Baskerville Bash
The 2003 Bash again had ’em rolling in the aisles at the Manhattan Club as the “Canonical News Network” introduced reports, toasts, and a special version of “You Bet Your Life.”2003
8 November 2002
2002 Autumn Luncheon
On November 8, 2002, the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes held their Autumn Members Meeting at Moran’s Alehouse, featuring Canonical toasts, mini-papers on iconic stories, and celebrations including the unveiling of the ASH website and a tribute to significant milestones, all ending, once again, with traditional ASH songs.
1 June 2002
2002 Spring Dinner
On June 1, 2002, about sixty Adventuresses and friends gathered at Caterina’s restaurant for the annual Spring Dinner, featuring traditional and special toasts, themed discussions on cases from June 1889, and presentations, all concluding with classic ASH songs and a hint of scholarship.
1 June 2002
11 January 2002
2002 Baskerville Bash
The 2002 Bash drew nearly 100 Sherlockians on January 11 to celebrate the 6th annual event — this one featured the “Bash-In,” a reprise of Rowan & Martin’s 70’s comedy hit, “Laugh-In.”
2001
2001 Baskerville Bash
The 2001 Bash was a howling success as The Baskerville Buskers presented “This Is Your Life, Hugo The Hound” (among other entertaining skits and songs) to the assembled diners and drinkers.2001
August 25, 2001
Baltic Cruise
On 25 August 2001, eight intrepid Adventuresses set sail on the Princess Danae on the Sherlock Holmes Society of London’s Jubilee Cruise. The eight seafarers were Marina Stajic, Sue Vizoskie, Maureen van der Flaes, Julie McKuras, (front row) Susan Diamond, Marilynne McKay, Evelyn Herzog, and Marsha Pollak. The entire group numbered over 70 and toured several British embassies in Victorian dress.
27 October 2000
2000 Autumn Luncheon
On October 27, 2000, the first Autumn Dinner of the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes at the Chemist’s Club featured Canonical toasts, mini-papers on American women and noble or naughty ladies, a Victorian food hamper for Ev Herzog’s birthday, and concluded with traditional ASH songs.
27 October 2000
2000
2000 Baskerville Bash
The 2000 Bash was the first at the Manhattan Club, as preceding Bashes outgrew each successive venue. The “What’s My Crime?” game show was only one highlight of the festivities.1997
1997 Baskerville Bash
The 1997 Bash marked the beginning of a new Birthday Weekend tradition — the first in a series of escalating extravaganzas. The Baskerville Bash is the granddaughter of the venerable ASH Dinners of yore.
1997
September 23, 1999
Sherlock Holmes Statue Unveiling
The highlight of the Return of Sherlock Holmes Statue Festival 1999 in September was the Unveiling Ceremony, which took place on Thursday morning, September 23, 1999, at 11:30 a.m. Sherlockians (American Holmesians) and Holmesians (British Sherlockians) had assembled in the special enclosure on Marylebone Road, at the Baker Street Underground station just off the corner of Baker Street.