Times: Event begins with open bar and hors d'oeuvres at 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $175 per person
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum in Bristol, RI
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Celebrate Coggeshall Farm Museum’s 50th Anniversary on October 7, 2023, with our second annual Harvest Gala, featuring a cocktail hour with an open bar, dinner, dancing, and a silent auction.
Event Details
October 7, 2023
6:00 PM | Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with silent auction and live music by HoneyTrain
7:30 PM | Dinner with 1973 Circle paddle raise
Location:
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum in Bristol, RI
Tickets:
$175 per person | $1,400 per table of 8
RSVP by September 28, 2023. Purchase tickets online here or by calling 508-347-0207.
Menu
Salad
Harvest salad with poached baby pear, Berkshire blue cheese, cranberries, mixed farmers greens, spiced pecans, and champagne vinaigrette
Entrée, choice of:
- Rosemary grilled filet mignon with parmesan mashed potatoes, roasted autumn vegetables, and whipped gorgonzola butter
- Stuffed Murray’s Farm Statler chicken with fontina, spinach and portabella stuffing, whipped maple sweet potatoes, heirloom carrots and pearl onions, and rich pan sauce
- Fall vegetable tasting with butternut squash, kale, beets, Brussels sprouts, fresh pasta, and gorgonzola cream
Dessert
Trio of mini desserts: lemon meringue tart, espresso crème brûlée, and French macaron
Auction
Silent Auction through BiddingForGood
The Harvest Gala will feature a silent auction that is completely virtual—allowing you to bid from your smartphone, tablet, or computer, even if you cannot attend the Gala in person. Staff members will be available throughout the night to assist those who do not have personal devices. We strongly encourage all attendees to register for the auction in advance.
Can’t come to the Gala? You can still bid!
Register for BiddingForGood and view auction items here.
Sponsors
Hope Alswang and Henry Joyce
Celebrating 50 Years of Coggeshall Farm Museum
In 1965, the State of Rhode Island purchased the former Samuel P. Colt estate, including the 48-acre farm now known as Coggeshall Farm, for use as a state park. With the historic 18th-century tenant farmhouse facing possible demolition, several members of the Bristol Historical Society approached then-Governor John Chaffee for permission to convert Coggeshall Farm into a museum.
By 1973, the project had expanded beyond the scope of the Historical Society, and Coggeshall Farm Museum was incorporated as its own private, non-profit organization as “a quiet, authentic place for 20th-century Americans to observe the lifestyles of 1750 Rhode Island.” In the last decade, interpretation of the site has refocused primarily on the 1790s, the decade between the American Revolution and the Industrial Revolution, known as the Federalist Era.
In January 2020, Old Sturbridge Village and Coggeshall Farm Museum began an innovative new partnership. Old Sturbridge Village now manages the daily operations of Coggeshall Farm through a management contract. We are grateful to the community that has supported Coggeshall Farm Museum for its first 50 years–and look forward to welcoming you to the Farm for many years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tickets:
Can I purchase a ticket at the door?
No. We expect that the Gala will sell out, so we encourage you to make your ticket purchases as soon as possible.
Will I receive my tickets in the mail?
We do not issue paper tickets. You will simply check-in upon arrival at the check-in table by giving our staff your name. We will also issue a confirmation letter through the mail when we receive payment for your tickets.
If one of my guests is unable to attend, can I invite someone else at the last minute?
Yes, you can invite someone other than your original guest. Please notify our staff as soon as you are aware of the change by contacting Sandra Polanik at 508-347-0294. Please note that we will not be able to accommodate a change in meal choice after September 27.
I still have questions! Who do I contact?
Please contact Sandra Polanik at spolanik@osv.org or 508-347-0294.
Where is the Gala taking place?
The Gala will take place under the tent at Blithewold Mansion (101 Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809)
Where should I park?
Onsite parking is available as you go down the main driveway to the left.
What if I have a mobility issue?
The parking lot has handicap spots and the grounds are handicap accessible. Handicap restrooms are at the staff entrance and in the Visitor Center. Please let us know if you need additional support by contacting Sandra Polanik at 508-347-0294 or spolanik@osv.org.
Who is catering the Gala?
The Gala will be catered by Blackstone Caterers
What is the Menu?
The Gala will begin with a variety of passed hors d’eouvres during cocktail hour. See the dinner menu below:
Salad:
Harvest salad with poached baby pear, Berkshire blue cheese, cranberries, mixed farmers greens, spiced pecans, and champagne vinaigrette
Entrée, choice of:
- Rosemary grilled filet mignon with parmesan mashed potatoes, roasted autumn vegetables, and whipped gorgonzola butter
- Stuffed Murray’s Farm Statler chicken with fontina, spinach and portabella stuffing, whipped maple sweet potatoes, heirloom carrots and pearl onions, and rich pan sauce
- Fall vegetable tasting with butternut squash, kale, beets, Brussels sprouts, fresh pasta, and gorgonzola cream
Dessert:
Trio of mini desserts: lemon meringue tart, espresso crème brûlée, and French macaron
I have dietary restrictions/allergies. What should I do?
Please contact Sandra Polanik at spolanik@osv.org or 508-347-0294 to discuss any dietary restrictions or allergies. Please note that we may be unable to accommodate special requests made after September 27.
How do I donate an item to the auction?
Please contact Sandra Polanik at spolanik@osv.org or 508-347-0294.
How do I access the silent auction?
The online silent auction will be accessed here.
Can I register for the auction on the night of the Gala?
Yes, however, we strongly encourage all those who wish to participate in the silent auction to register in advance. Register here.
I cannot attend the Gala. Can I still participate in the auction?
Yes! You can participate in the silent auction without purchasing a ticket to the Gala. The auction will go live and open for bidding in advance of the Gala and will close during the Gala on October 7. Register and learn more at Bidding for Good here
How will I be notified if I win an auction item?
Those who have provided a cell phone number will receive text messages as soon as the auction closes to notify them of any items they have won. You may also receive an email message from BiddingforGood. Coggeshall Farm Museum will contact all winners who do not check out at the Gala itself on Monday, October 9. If you have questions about your bids, please contact us at 508-347-0294 and we will be happy to assist you.
How will I receive my items if I win?
If you do not leave the Gala with your items on October 7, you can arrange to pick up your winnings at Coggeshall Farm Museum. Please be aware that not all items can be shipped. If we are able to ship an item, that information will be included in the item description on the auction website. If you have any questions or need to arrange to pick up your items, please contact us at 508-347-0294.
I have other questions or need additional assistance. Who can I contact?
Please contact Sandra Polanik at 508-347-0294 or spolanik@osv.org.
Donations and Sponsorships:
Can I make a donation to sponsor the Gala?
Yes! Donations can be made on our website or by mailing a check made payable to “Coggeshall Farm Museum” to Coggeshall Farm Museum – Gala, c/o Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge, MA 01566
Are donations to the Gala tax-deductible?
While ticket purchases are not tax-deductible, donations to the Gala are tax-deductible to the full extent allowable by law.
How can my business sponsor the Gala?
Complete information about sponsorship opportunities, including program book advertisements, can be found here. Please contact Sandra Polanik at 508-347-0294 or spolanik@osv.org if you are interested in sponsoring the Gala or purchasing a program book advertisement. Please note that only those businesses that have made their gift and submitted program book ads by September 14 will appear in the program book.
Can I donate an item to the auction?
If you are interested in donating an item to the Gala’s auction, please contact Sandra Polanik at 508-347-0294 or spolanik@osv.org.
What do I wear to the Gala?
Cocktail or formal attire is requested. We anticipate that guests will wear suits, tuxedos, cocktail dresses, or floor-length gowns.
Salad
