Henry Flagler's Wives

 

Thursday, February 9, 2012     Getting to Know Henry Flagler’s Three Wives

On Thursday evening after dinner at the hotel, our immensely talented guide, Dianne Jacoby, entertained us with a performance of The Three Mrs. Flaglers.  In this 90-minute drama, which she wrote herself, she portrayed the three very different women who married Henry Flagler.  As each woman told her story, we learned details of Flagler’s life and, at the same time, the history of St. Augustine in the 19^th and 20^th centuries.  From the very proper but ailing Mary Harkness, who coughed discreetly into her handkerchief, we learned of Flagler’s devotion to his family and the decision to move to Florida.  Dianne’s portrayal of Flagler’s second wife, the flamboyant and mentally unhinged Ida Alice, showed Flagler’s patience and generosity of spirit.  Finally, the elegant and patrician Mary Lily, a Southern belle from North Carolina, helped tell the story of what Flagler considered his greatest accomplishment – the extension of the railroad all the way down through Florida to Key West.  By the way, Mary Lily was 37 years younger than Henry - I could relate!  During the performance, Dianne transformed herself, not only with elaborate costumes, but also with considerable acting talent, and brought us into Henry Flagler’s world.