Nelda Cantarella Ferace – Senior Administrator at I Tatti 1962-2010
Nelda first visited I Tatti in 1946 when her father was on sabbatical from Smith College. She returned in the 50s when Berenson was still in residence and came to work at the Villa in 1962. Nelda describes her early years at I Tatti as being filled with a multitude of tasks :‘ Filing, typing, dreaded budgets, taking dictation, coordinating for a period the work of the farmers and gardeners, giving injections to cypresses, overseeing building projects, going to incredible Italian bureaucratic offices, stepping in when the director was absent to make sure people met guests, etc., cleaning out farm houses, being responsible for the first security system on the property put in by Craig Smyth. One was never sure with what one's day might be filled. But it was glorious. Loved it'. Nelda retired in May 2010.
The Salvemini and Smith connection. BB 'Attractive and wickedly witty'
Nicky's graciousnes: A symphonic work
State of the Villa
Nelda's journey from Smith to I Tatti
Life at the Center in 1962
Wallets closing, early fundraising
Pulling together and 'town and gown'
