Save the date for ‘Night at the Museum’
Brome County Historical Society
The Brome County Museum’s first ever “Night at the Museum” gala fundraiser takes place on Saturday, August 19 beginning at 7 p.m.
Tickets are just $50 for an individual or $85 for a couple* and include unlimited wine, cheese, and appetizers served with a smile — and a story or two — in the museum! Dessert and special “Confederation Coffee” follow under the tent where the highlight of the evening, the launch of the Brome County Museum’s new “Adopt an Artefact” program, will be guided by Master of Ceremonies Cameron Brown of Camlen Inc.
The goal of the evening is to raise awareness about the Brome County Museum’s precious collections and $20,000 to help with their conservation and care! To that end, Curator Cari Ensio and Coordinator Joanne Croghan have carefully selected 28 “big” artefacts, all of which are eligible for early adoption until August 12. If adopted early, the top six big items include a free pair of tickets to the “Night at the Museum” gala. The top six are: The Fokker at $3,000, the two field guns at $2,000 each, and the potash kettle, the memorial drinking fountain, and the birch bark canoe at $1,000 each.
Everyone who adopts a “big” artefact will enjoy seeing their name on a special placard in the museum for one year and take home a special certificate. Big artefacts include the Quaker library, “Scottie” the cigar-store mascot turned barque figurehead, the “Penny Farthing” bicycle, the Westover rifle that was used against the Fenians, the Smith printing press, and the popular “stolen sword,” to name a few.
Anyone who adopts a “small” artefact, 22 of which will be available for adoption at the gala, will receive a special certificate. Small artefacts, which will be adopted “blindly,” include a lovely example of ladies’ bloomers, a collection of chamber pots, a chicken guillotine, and old-time remedies and treatments, including one for mange…in humans as well as animals!
With artefact adoption fees ranging from $50 to $3,000, there is something for every budget in the Brome County Museum’s “Adopt an Artefact” program. The artefacts catalogue, additional information about the program and “Night at the Museum,” and gala tickets are available by calling 450-243-6782 or by visiting bromemuseum.com.
Please save the date — Saturday, August 19 — and join the Brome County Museum today in preserving yesterday’s rich cultural heritage for tomorrow!
*Please note that tax receipts will be not be issued for gala tickets, however they will be for 100 per cent of the “Adopt an Artefact” fees.
Editor’s note: The Brome County Historical Society column published on July 4 entitled, ‘A dynamic summer staff at Brome County Museum,’ neglected to mention that the students are part of, and paid by, the Canada Summer Jobs Program that is an initiative of Employment and Social Development Canada.