On Sept. 27, staff of the Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, fondly known as the Sheldon Museum, hosted the third annual “Mingle at the Museum” fundraiser from 5-7 p.m., in support of the museum’s programs and exhibits. For $50, community members could take part in a night full of activities that included: live music with accordionist Ernest James Zydeco, dinner from Crooked Ladle, a photo booth, a scavenger hunt inside the museum, games, and a silent auction. General admission also included drinks and dinner — and every dollar raised from the evening contributed directly to the museum’s budget.
Nestled between the Two Brothers Tavern and the Photoplace Gallery in the heart of downtown Middlebury, the Sheldon Museum holds a rich history. The museum is known for being the oldest community-based museum in the nation housing numerous pieces of Middlebury’s art and history. Founded in 1882 by businessman and collector Henry Luther Sheldon, the three-story brick house was quickly occupied by his large collection of Vermont furniture, paintings, documents, household objects and artifacts. The permanent collection only continues to grow, providing a glimpse into regional history and standing as a testament to the town’s lasting spirit. Events such as the “Mingle at the Museum” night — also called The Mingle — foster community reach and financial stability needed to support the museum.
For the fundraiser, staff decorated the venue with vibrant colors and masquerade centerpieces. They draped purples, greens, and golds across the museum and its surrounding land, replacing the usual New England aesthetic with something much more festive. Community members found themselves standing at the tables for conversation, indulging in the catered food, exploring the museum’s exhibits while looking for the next clues in the scavenger hunt, and relishing in the live band. Staff and guests mingled, equally enjoying the night.
One of the most popular activities was the scavenger hunt — created by Alexandra Weimer, the collections and program assistant. Weimer used certain artifacts as clues to guide attendees throughout the museum. By the end, participants found themselves in the museum store, where Barbara Rathburn, visitor services coordinator and shop manager, had a prize ready for those who completed the scavenger hunt successfully.
Hosting the event required the contributions of sponsors, trustees, staff, and community members. “It’s a huge team effort to make [The Mingle] happen,” Coco Moseley, executive director of the Sheldon Museum stated. The process starts in May, just after opening the museum for its annual operating season from May to January. The trustees, especially the events committee, start planning and continue preparation throughout the season. Rathburn confirmed there were six members on staff and about five others who helped out, as well as several volunteers. Some of those volunteers were Middlebury College students, who assisted at the photo booth, answered visitors’ questions and helped wherever needed.
The fall season, with the return of students and influx of tourists for the foliage, makes the event a steady hallmark of the museum’s yearly programming. It introduces first-time visitors to the museum, encouraging them to become members, and highlights the frequent updates the museum makes to its collection. Active members get the opportunity to interact with a wide variety of people, from longtime volunteers to fellow community members, college students, young kids and families. Organizations throughout the town have offered their support to the museum; local businesses sponsor The Mingle, and the items for the silent auction are all donated.
The Mingle further instated the museum as another communal space for the town.
“As we think about the museum’s future, wanting people to feel like it is both a place of fun and enjoyment, and that museums don’t have to be stuffy places where you go and everybody keeps quiet,” Moseley explained.
The event brought the community together to celebrate the exhibit and direct attention towards the museum’s offerings.
“The museum is just a great place to come visit. It’s got a lot of quirky, interesting objects in it,” Rathburn said.
