Nature and Science

Perot patrons celebrate museum's 5th anniversary at dino-mite Dallas party

What: Perot Museum of Nature and Science 5th Anniversary Celebration

Where: Perot Museum of Nature and Science

The 411: More than 250 special guests and museum patrons gathered for a champagne reception and intimate dinner to reflect on the Perot's impact on millions of lives since opening its doors five years ago. Perot Museum Board Chair Hernan J.F. Saenz, III and CEO Dr. Linda Abraham-Silver addressed the crowd followed by a special proclamation by Dallas City Council member Phillip Kingston on behalf of the city.

As the toasts rang in, thousands of sparklers rained down outside the lobby's floor-to-ceiling windows and the crowd cheered. Guests then made their way upstairs to the T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall for a seated dinner among the dinosaur skeletons.

For the occasion, philanthropist Lyda Hill gifted the Perot with three new sparkling minerals representing the colors of the holiday season — a white Scolecite (which resembles a snowball), green Dioptase and red Rhodocrosite.

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science has welcomed more than 5.5. million people and invited 1.2 million students through field trips and education programs since its opening on December 1, 2012.

Who: Margot and Ross Perot, Suzanne and Patrick McGee, Nancy Perot, Rod Jones, Carolyn and Karl Rathjen, Katherine and Eric Perot Reeves,Sally and Forrest Hoglund, Sheila and David Beuerlein, Kelly Compton, Mary McDermott Cook, Emily and David Corrigan, Elizabeth and Richard Eiseman, Sheila and Jody Grant, Roger Horchow, Caroline Rose Hunt, Eugenia and Frank-Paul King, Margaret McDermott, Meredith and Mark Plunkett, Nicole Small,and Gail and Jim Spann.

Loyal patrons gathered for the Perot Museum of Nature and Science 5th Anniversary Celebration.

Photo courtesy of Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Loyal patrons gathered for the Perot Museum of Nature and Science 5th Anniversary Celebration.

fundraisers

Night at the museum

Perot Museum gala-goers with a taste for adventure raise $2 million

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Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps and Chris Shurtleff

On a balmy Saturday night in November, the doors to Dallas' Perot Museum of Nature and Science closed to the public and reopened for nearly 1,000 chic party-goers. They dined, danced, and played with the exhibits to raise funds at 2024 Night at the Museum Gala.

Led by co-chairs Dr. Pamela J. Okada and Mark Okada, the crowd of "after-hours scientists" raised $2 million to support the museum’s educational programs and expand STEM learning opportunities across North Texas.

Perot Museum, Night at the Museum Gala 2024

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps and Chris Shurtleff

The event, designed by Valdivia Ventures, included live music, a captivating performance by dancers of Texas Ballet Theater, and innovative food activations by Wolfgang Puck Catering (the flaky, piping hot truffle pot pies that gala guests always look forward to).

As patrons explored the museum, they were greeted by hundreds of white orchids from Jackson Durham Events and were serenaded in exhibit hall by musicians provided by Jordan Khan Music Company.

A highlight of the evening was the "10-Minute Tasting Restaurant," an adventurous pop-up type experience that transformed the Museum Store into a five-star dining experience. Of course there were cocktails, too, and the lychee martini was a fan-favorite.

The evening concluded with a high-energy after-party on the lower level of the museum, presented by the Eugene McDermott Foundation. Guests danced the night away to beats by DJ Romi Q, struck a pose at the interactive photo booth, and ended the night at a decadent dessert room featuring a variety of sweet treats.

Funds raised from Night at the Museum will support educational programs, fund day-to-day operations, and provide financial aid to ensure the museum remains a welcoming and inclusive space for all.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the night, were Shannon Murray, Chris Nolan, Kylie Capps, Chris Shurtleff, Tim Peck, Missy Rogers Peck, Tori Mulford, Linda Silver, Emory McKim, Shelby Wagner, Niven Morgan, Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez, Regen Horchow, Ken Hersh, Dennis Cail, Annika Cail, Grace Cook, Caleb Stearns Wiley, Sarah-Michelle Stearns Wiley, Jason Valdivia, Katherine Stenesen, Chantel Boudreaux, Jeffrey Bragalone, Lexi Dennis, Mickie Bragalone, John Spradling, Miriam Spradling, KC Hurst, Koli Hurst, Magda Veja, Ashley Chellgren, Maria Zajia, Geraldine Parker, Meredith Abbott, and many more patrons and supporters.

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