Museum of Natural History to Host 19th Annual Mission Creek Gala
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History’s 19th Annual Mission Creek Gala, Phenomenal Santa Barbara, will take place Saturday, May 5. Inspired by the exhibits in the new Santa Barbara Gallery, the Gala will celebrate the region’s unparalleled, and phenomenal, biodiversity and habitats.
“The Gala Committee is looking forward to celebrating an evening of generous community support for the Museum’s science and nature education programs,” said Museum Gala Chair Stacey Byers.
The Gala committee, together with event planner Gillian Valentine, seeks to create a night of beauty, delight, and the unexpected with a goal of raising $350,000. The main décor will inspire guests to journey from the depths of the ocean floor to the top of Figueroa Mountain, all while enjoying a delectable dinner by Duo Catering & Events. The evening will conclude with a live auction for a private viewing party at the Sea Center during the December 16 Boat Parade of Lights.
The annual Mission Creek Gala sustains the Museum’s outstanding education program that touches the lives of 20,0000 schoolchildren each year through school tours, classes, storytelling, camps, the Nature Collections Lending Library, and outreach at the Museum and Sea Center.
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History was founded in 1916 by noted ornithologist William Leon Dawson as the Museum of Comparative Oology. Soon after, the Board of Directors expanded the Museum to include other aspects of natural history, and in 1923, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History opened its doors at the current campus. Since then, the Museum has become one of the most important institutions on the West Coast. In celebration of its 100th anniversary, the Museum embarked upon a $20 million Centennial Campaign to raise funds to support the improvement of the visitor experience on every level. This includes new exhibits, refurbished permanent galleries, improved universal access, landscape beautification, and more effective site interpretation to unlock the historical and natural richness of the Museum’s grounds.
