'Gatsby' Casino Night funds exhibits, programs at DuPage History Museum
To keep history alive in DuPage County, sometimes you need to do a bit of time travel.
Supporters of the DuPage County History Museum will suit up in their best flapper, mobster and dandy outfits on Saturday, March 7, and take a trip back to the roaring '20s for a "Great Gatsby"-themed Casino Night fundraiser.
As they roll the dice on roulette, craps, poker, and blackjack (with local celebrity dealers), they will be raising money to benefit the museum.
"It's events like this that help keep us open seven days a week, with free programing for all ages," said Michelle Podkowa, museum manager and educator.
Proceeds from Casino Night - as well as other fundraisers throughout the year, like a fall golf outing - benefit many facets of the museum, including artifact restoration, a new roof currently being updated, and offerings like the "Inheriting DuPage" exhibit and lecture series.
Podkowa and fellow staff said they are also excited about the next exhibit coming to the museum this spring: "Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War."
The DuPage County Historical Museum was chosen as one of 200 museums in the country to host this American Library Association traveling exhibit. And Podkowa said it would have been tough to land this ode to Honest Abe without community support.
"We're thrilled about the Lincoln exhibit because it is such a national exhibit and it helps us to broaden what we can offer our visitors," Podkowa said.
Casino Night is the museum's only fundraiser that happens inside the DuPage County Historical Museum in Wheaton, giving history buffs a private look at the exhibits they help bring to life.
This is the event's fifth year, and museum spokeswoman Sarah O'Donnell said it's become one of the most popular because it speaks to the very spirit of the museum.
"Our supporters like to uncover and discover the history of where they live and where their descendants came from - how our fabric is woven throughout our community," she said.
"People are naturally intrigued. They appreciate what their community has given to them and they enjoy being able to give back to the museum."
In addition to gambling, Casino Night supporters can also take their chances on raffle items and a silent auction.
Tickets also includes food, beer and wine, and $50 in charity chips, as well as late-night snacks from Chick-fil-A.
To register or for details on sponsorship, being a celebrity dealer, or volunteering, visit dupagemuseum.org, email rsvp@wheatonparks.org, or call (630) 510-4986.
If you go
What: Gatsby Casino Night
When: 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 7
Where: DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton
Tickets: $75; $125 per couple; $500 for groups of 10
Info: dupagemuseum.org; rsvp@wheatonparks.org; (630) 510-4986