CASTINE — Friends and supporters of the Wilson Museum are invited to attend the fundraiser, First Dibs: A Preservation Celebration of the Historic John Perkins House, at 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 20, on the museum grounds. The museum will benefit major preservation projects at the historic residence of Phebe and John Perkins, early settlers of Castine.
According to Patty Hutchins, executive director of the Wilson Museum, “This fundraiser will be similar to an auction, only better. Guests will have the opportunity to see the many improvements we’ve made to the museum grounds, enjoy the outdoor sculpture, “Home and Away,” by Robert Leverich and know that they are making a significant contribution to preserving the Perkins House. It should be a fun evening, and everyone will go home with a great gift.”
The fundraiser will take the form of a summer social cocktail party, featuring a full open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres by Chef Nancy Watson and her team from Castine’s The Manor Inn. Watson will present a number of gourmet treats, with the final menu promising to be a delicious chef’s choice.
A preview period will begin at 5:30 p.m. to enable guests to strategize and plan their selections. Following the preview, names of guests and their party will be drawn at random, with those selected first claiming “First Dibs” on a premium gift item of their choice. Guests will choose from a wide array of gifts, services and prizes donated by businesses and individuals the our local area, all in support of historic preservation.
There will be plenty of individual prizes, but some items will require more than one dib to acquire — that’s part of the fun. Guests can come as a team, or plan to find collaborators that evening to claim a group experience, dinner party or shareable package.
The list of donated items grows every day, with premium gifts in-hand including such items as the Baron’s banquet dinner for 12, privately prepared and presented, featuring gourmet entrees and carefully selected wine pairings; a private concert by New Shades of Blue, featuring musical artists Juliane Gardner and Christopher Poulin; local cruise aboard Guildive; a hand-carved, signed half-model of the schooner Bowdoin by David Wyman; and many other adventures and fine crafts. A list of all gifts, details and photos is available at wmfirstdibs.org.
Patronage of the event and donations will help the museum meet costs of maintaining the preservation of the Perkins House, an historic residence located on the museum grounds that features living-history demonstrations and special exhibits. Listed on the National Register for Historic Places, the home’s designation carries with it the expectation of continued preservation in a manner that does not compromise the integrity of the structure.
While funds are allotted annually for general maintenance, the ravages of time, weather and moisture have produced issues more extensive and expensive than can be addressed by the normal budget. Especially important and at risk are the handcrafted window sashes that were reproduced by Hoyt Hutchins during the restoration of the house in the early 1970s. Additionally, there are challenges sustaining proper moisture and temperature levels to maintain and preserve the home and its furnishings while continuing to use the venue as a living-history experience for visitors.
Admission to the event is by advance donation of $125 perperson, with a reservation deadline set for July 10, Reservation details are at wmfirstdibs.org/ReservationDetails.pdf.
For information, or to reserve or donate, contact the Wilson Museum at 2326-9247 or info@wilsonmuseum.org.