Kane County History: Geneva Hosts Virtual Night at the Museum!

kanecountyconnects / August 21, 2020 / Comments Off / Arts & Entertainment, Clubs and Organizations, Communities, Education, Global Ambassadors, Government, History, Nonprofits, Quality of Life, Quirky and Fun, WK-Communities

Editor’s Note: This article is part of a weekly series on Kane County’s amazing history. This article is contributed by Terry Emma, director of the Geneva History Museum. All photos are courtesy of the Geneva History Museum.

GHM staff and volunteers have moved the entire collection from the lower level to prepare for the installation of new shelving.

Join the Geneva History Museum via Zoom for a fun virtual night at the museum complete with camaraderie, collections and cocktails starting promptly at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17.

Master of ceremony Scott Mackay, of 95.9 The River radio station, will emcee this fundraiser from the museum to update viewers on all of the projects going on during museum closure.

Executive Director Terry Emma, will take you behind-the-scenes to share some of the museum’s best kept secrets along with oral history recordings that are sure to entertain.

The event will begin with the creation of a custom cocktail with Vince, the mixologist from Niche Restaurant. Attendees can purchase custom cocktail kits for $15 each prior to the event and follow along. The kits will be available for pickup the week of the event at Niche.

Scott Mackay of 95.9 The River Radio

GHM will share the progress of several museum projects. GHM was awarded a $162,628 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to install high-density mobile shelving units. The redesign will create 46% more storage space.

During closure, staff and volunteers are working safely together and have moved all of the objects out of the storage areas to prepare for the arrival of the new shelving.

Vince from Niche Restaurant

Over the past several years, the community has donated the funds to build a Story Booth in the Main Gallery for visitors to record Geneva stories. The Kane County Riverboat Fund awarded a technology grant to GHM to update technology for the Story Booth. The booth is in the design phase and will be installed and ready when the museum reopens.

Geneva artist Dennis Gramlich is painting various Geneva scenes in the Gift Shop window from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. each Wednesday and Friday. He has donated all of his art and originals are available for sale on the museum website. All proceeds benefit GHM.

Specially designed sterling silver “G” pendant

GHM passed the American Alliance of Museum’s Core Documents Certification in its pursuit to achieve national accreditation. Only 22% of American museums are nationally accredited. Staff and board members meet regularly to complete the accreditation application.

During the virtual event, attendees are encouraged to become a Geneva GEM by Giving Every Month to support the mission of GHM. For a monthly recurring donation of $35 or more, donors will receive a specially designed keepsake pendant from State Street Jewelers.

All who attend the fundraiser will automatically be entered to win a gift basket filled with goodies from Geneva businesses. The basket is valued at more than $1,000. The winner must be virtually present to claim the prize.

For more information, or to make a donation, visit GenevaHistoryMuseum.org or call 630-232-4951.