A Gala Fundraiser to Benefit Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research
Join us for the remarkable journey that began in 1904 with the Booths' vision and continues today with a peek toward the future—a night of celebration for Cranbrook Archives as Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research hosts a House Party at Cranbrook: History in the Making.
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2019
Time: Behind-the-Scenes Interpretive Tours: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Cranbrook House Gala Celebration: 6:00pm – 11:00pm
Theme: Mid-Century Cool (circa 1960)
As stewards of George and Ellen Booth’s vision, the Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research preserves, interprets, and shares Cranbrook’s vast collections of cultural properties, archives, and historic architecture. At the heart of Cranbrook—and the core of the Center—is our Archives. Comprised of more than 1.5 million documents, photographs, drawings, and ephemera, the Archives tells the fascinating stories of the people and places of Cranbrook, and their impact on the world of architecture, art, design, science, and creative thought. As a resource for students, educators, staff, and researchers, the Archives holds primary source documents that provide the foundation and vision for the entire Cranbrook Educational Community.
As the Center works to establish a permanent home for the collections of Cranbrook Archives, the House Party at Cranbrook fundraiser, History in the Making, will take guests on a literal “walk” through history. With unexpected anecdotes and treasures from the Archives, we will journey to special spaces and places on campus and learn “house secrets” along the way for a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Your support of the House Party at Cranbrook will not only provide vital operational support for the Center but will also help us start the process of developing a permanent home for the Archives through the restoration and repurposing of Lyon House. As an historic 1925 Albert Kahn design on Cranbrook’s campus, originally called Stonelea, Lyon House is perfectly poised to become the future home of the Archives. Join us on the journey.
All guest experiences will begin between 4:00pm and 6:00pm at Cranbrook House, with complimentary valet parking. A shuttle will take you on a tour through the past, present and future homes of the Cranbrook Archives (you are welcome to visit any or all three) where you will be able to explore the history and stories while enjoying friendly conversation with our extraordinary Center tour leaders. And, who knows, there may even be some surprises along the way!
The doors to the Gala in Cranbrook House will open at 6:00pm. The celebration will begin on the North Terrace with signature drinks, retro hors d’oeuvres, and a live auction that will highlight unique experiential tours, dinners, and events. Dinner will be served throughout the magnificent Cranbrook House, followed by an afterglow with drinks and entertainment on the Terrace. Join the party and support the Center and Archives!
All tickets to A House Party at Cranbrook include:
- Cocktails, appetizers, dinner and entertainment on Saturday, September 21, 2019
- The opportunity to bid on one-of-a kind experiences during the Live Auction
- Visits to the past, present, and future “Homes” of the Archives: Historic Thornlea, the Cranbrook Archives at Cranbrook Art Museum, and a preview of the proposed permanent location at Lyon House.
TABLES AND TICKETS
INDIVIDIUAL: $425
One (1) ticket to A House Party at Cranbrook: History in the Making
$303 tax-deductible as allowed by law
TABLE HOST: $3,200
Eight (8) tickets to A House Party at Cranbrook
BENEFITS
- Host your "Party within the Party" by inviting your friends to join you at your table
- Eight (8) tickets to dinner
- Two (2) tickets to the House Party Patron Cocktail Party to be held on a date prior to the House Party
- Recognition in printed invitation, event program, and website
- Recognition on the House Party Donor Wall
$2,144 is tax-deductible as allowed by law
There also are a limited number of opportunities for these exclusive dining experiences:
DIRECTOR'S TABLE: $2,500/couple | limited to ten couples
Two (2) tickets to A House Party at Cranbrook including two (2) tickets to the exclusive Patron Cocktail Party to be held on a date prior to the House Party
BENEFITS
- Be seated and dine with Gregory Wittkopp, Director of Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research, and his wife, Dora Apel, in the beautiful Sunset Room
- Exclusive dinner seating is limited to ten couples
- Two (2) tickets to the House Party Patron Cocktail Party
- Recognition in printed invitation, event program, and website
- Recognition on the House Party Donor Wall
$2,161 is tax-deductible as allowed by law
PRESIDENT'S TABLE: $3,500/couple | limited to seven couples
Two (2) tickets to A House Party at Cranbrook including two (2) tickets to the exclusive Patron Cocktail Party to be held on a date prior to the House Party
BENEFITS
- Be seated and dine with Dominic DiMarco, President of Cranbrook Educational Community, and his wife, Erin DiMarco, in the original Booth Family Dining Room
- Exclusive dinner seating is limited to seven couples
- Two (2) tickets to the House Party Patron Cocktail Party
- Recognition in printed invitation, event program, and website
- Recognition on the House Party Donor Wall
$3,125 is tax-deductible as allowed by law
For more information on these three special dining experiences, please contact Gregory Wittkopp, Director, Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research, at 248.645.3315 or gwittkopp@cranbrook.edu.
View the Center's carefully curated, unique selection of experiences and items for the House Party Live Auction.
The Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research gratefully acknowledges the sponsors and most generous patrons of A HOUSE PARTY AT CRANBROOK: HISTORY IN THE MAKING.
To learn about sponsorship opportunities and the associated benefits and tax deductibility at all levels, click below or contact Gregory Wittkopp at 248.645.3315 or gwittkopp@cranbrook.edu.
HOUSE PARTY frequently asked questions and event information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information on A HOUSE PARTY AT CRANBROOK, please contact Gregory Wittkopp, Director, Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research, at 248.645.3315 or gwittkopp@cranbrook.edu.
PHOTO CREDITS
Banner Photo: Jayne Van Alstyne at work at General Motors, Oct 1956. Courtesy Cranbrook Archives, Jayne Van Alstyne Papers.
Sketch by George Booth of his vision for a family home in the hills of his Cranbrook Estate, c. 1906. Courtesy Cranbrook Archives.
Cranbrook House south forecourt and west wing, photograph by George W. Hance, 1925. Courtesy Cranbrook Archives.