NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 14, 2020) – The Andrew Jackson Foundation will host a virtual auction this year in place of its annual Hermitage Gala fundraiser. The auction will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, October 19 and end at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, October 25. Traditionally the Gala has been the Foundation's largest fundraising event that supports the organization and presidential home each year.
“With COVID-19 forcing us to shut down for almost three months, having to scale back our tours to accommodate CDC guidelines, and streamlining our staff, this year has proven to be more than challenging. Canceling this year’s in-person gala was a hard decision--albeit the right decision,” said Howard J. Kittell, president and CEO of the Andrew Jackson Foundation. “We strongly need the community and supporters of Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage to participate in our online auction. Proceeds will help ensure the preservation of this National Historic Landmark and education of the next generation."
The online auction is co-chaired by Mary Gambill and Mary Jo Shankle, who are actively involved with several organizations and nonprofits in the Nashville community.
“While we’re disappointed to cancel this year’s Gala, we are pleased to be able to come together virtually in support of The Hermitage and its rich history,” said Gambill.
“We hope to see high levels of participation from our regular Gala attendees and new friends of The Hermitage,” Shankle said.
The auction will feature various artwork, historical items, commissioned furniture pieces, tour tickets and experiences for families and individuals to enjoy. A few sample auction pieces include the following: custom furniture from Good Wood Nashville; a private dinner for 10 on the back porch of The Hermitage Mansion; a Natchez Hills Vineyard experience including limo transportation to and from the vineyard; an exclusive trip to New York City; and framed art.
Proceeds from the auction benefit the Andrew Jackson Foundation's education and public programming and assist the presidential home with ongoing preservation and restoration projects.
For more information about the Gala Auction and to access the link for bidding, please visit www.thehermitage.com/gala.
About Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage: Home of the People’s President is one of the largest, most well-preserved and most visited presidential homes in the United States. Opened to the public in 1889, The Hermitage is one of American’s first presidential museums. Today, The Hermitage is a 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark with more than 20 historic buildings, including Jackson’s mansion and tomb, restored slave cabins, a church and gardens. In recent years, new interpretive initiatives and educational programs such as the history of slavery have enhanced the experience of more than 230,000 annual visitors. For more information, visit www.thehermitage.com.
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Media Contact:
Ann Dee Jones
(615) 889-2941 ext. 223
ajones@thehermitage.com