In 1923, Elizabeth Ames (1885-1977) was appointed the first Executive Director of Yaddo. She lost no time in creating network of advisors to help her extend invitations to the finest artists in all media, judge applicants, and select from early guests a board of directors. While she valued the input of all these parties, she was not afraid to state her opinion in no uncertain terms. For forty-six years, Ames was truly the matriarch of Yaddo, a designation descriptive both of the way she
exercised power in governance, and of the unique brand of care and
encouragement she provided to resident artists. Like the other great
women of Yaddo before herâ-Katrina Trask, Marjorie Peabody Waite, or
Allena Pardeeâ-she poured all of her intelligence, hard work, and
maternal instincts into bringing into the world a place of endless
creative rebirth. Perhaps Yaddo was born of the Romantic visions of
Katrina Trask, but it was reared to maturity under the patient and firm
guidance of Elizabeth Ames.