The Night Sparkles at the Montshire Museum's 2010 Benefit Auction on Friday, May 7. Doors open at 6 p.m. Dozens of unique items, hundreds of your friends and neighbors, and an array of delicious hors d'oeuvres and desserts make this a night to remember.

All proceeds of the Montshire Auction support the Museum's science education programs, which bring the joy of learning and discovery to thousands of children and families across Vermont and New Hampshire each year.

A complete catalog of auction items will be on-line in April. To see highlights of last year's event, view our slideshow.

Make Your Reservations

Register online or by calling 802-649-2200 x249. The $70/person admission fee, in support of the Museum, includes delicious hors d'oeuvres by Christophe Chef Services and a complimentary drink. Purchase reservations for 8 or more people at $60/person. Everyone is welcome, but space is limited.

We encourage you to make your reservations in advance. Admission at the door will be $80/person.

Live Auction Raffle

Raffle entries are $50 each and benefit the Museum. Choose from the following items:

• Three-stone diamond pendant necklace
• Boston Sports Package including two tickets to home games:
  • Patriots, Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins, Revolution
• A year of movies for two at the Nugget Theaters, Hanover

A raffle winner will be drawn on Auction night, at the beginning of the Live Auction. If your name is drawn, the item you have selected will be taken out of the Live Auction and set aside for you. You do not need to be present to win. Read more about this year's raffle items on the 2010 Auction Raffle Items page.

Fund a Need

Fund a Need is a special component of the Auction that allows you to support a specific program at the Montshire at a level that is right for you. This year, look for options in both the Silent and Live Auctions.

Leadership Volunteers

We wish to thank the many dedicated volunteers whose creativity, enthusiasm, and leadership make this event a success.

Auction Co-Chairs Keri Craft Justine Fahey Steering Committee Deb Ashton Jane Boon Jennifer Brown Keri Craft Karen DuBois Justine Fahey Frieda Meehan Laura Perras Trina Presland-Byrne Gail Rickards Jen Thomas Alice Williams Sponsorships Jennifer Brown, Co-Chair Keri Craft, Co-Chair

Acquisitions Committee Jane Boon, Co-Chair Loretta Dewey Karen DuBois Mariruth Galbraith Tracy Haines Kathy Harvard Julia Healy Connie Loescher Margaret Lukovits Jennifer MacCullough Katie Madden Karen Marks Frieda Meehan, Co-Chair Susan Morhun Mary Beth Pinard Leslie Potter Jona Roberts Colleen Rozzi Michele Sacerdote Susan Simmers Janet Simmons

Decorations and Catering Deb Ashton, Co-Chair Rose Knaus Laura Perras, Co-Chair Morgan Perrone Jen Thomas, Co-Chair Reservations Team Karen DuBois Stephanie McCaull Colleen Rozzi Michele Sacerdote Art Trina Presland-Byrne, Co-Chair Gail Rickards, Co-Chair Silent Auction Displays Lauren Adams Jennifer MacCullough Alice Williams, Chair

Donors Make It Possible

The Auction would not be possible without the support of the businesses and individuals who donate items to benefit the Museum. Each donor is recognized in the catalog and in the Valley News, and we cannot thank them enough. To donate an item, contact us at auction@montshire.org.

Tax deductibility

Items donated to the Montshire Auction are tax-deductible according to the tax basis (not the fair market value). In general, if the total charitable deduction claimed for non-cash property exceeds $500, the taxpayer must file IRS Form 8283. For property valued at more than $5,000, a written appraisal may be required.

For items and services purchased at the Auction, any amount paid that exceeds the fair market value may be tax-deductible. Reservation fees and raffle tickets are not tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor for more details or advice.