FC Buzz: Supper and more at Stamford Museum

BY MELISSA H. MULROONEY

We”™re off to a running start for 2015 at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center with several new initiatives and programs. In the fall, we hosted our first Farm to Table Supper celebrating the bounty of the summer set in the Bendel Mansion ”” a perfect historic venue. We have just the right mission and message with Heckscher Farm and our Organic Garden. Our vision for our guests is to experience a “delicious revolution” of getting back to basics, promoting great chefs and the locavore food movement, enjoying a unique evening touring the galleries and socializing over a beautiful supper.

Melissa H. Mulrooney
Melissa H. Mulrooney

With the success of our fall supper, we will be hosting our Winter Farm to Table Supper on Saturday, Feb. 28, a casual, rustic dinner featuring qwner/chef Tim LaBant of The Schoolhouse at Cannondale. The evening will begin with artisanal hors d”™oeuvres and signature cocktails to be enjoyed with a special preview tour with the artist James Gurney of the Stamford Museum”™s new exhibition, “Dinotopia: The Fantastical Art of James Gurney,” organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum. The exhibition will also feature added selections from the Stamford Museum & Nature Center”™s paleontology collection. A limited number of tickets are still available for this special evening by visiting our website at stamfordmuseum.org.

In early March, the newest addition to Heckscher Farm will be opening ”“ Heckscher WILD! Bringing world habitats to life, Heckscher WILD! will feature live exotic animals and plants from across the globe and provide visitors a chance for interaction with these animals through feedings, demonstrations and special events. The exhibit will house some favorite Stamford Museum & Nature Center animals, including lizards, snakes, turtles and tarantulas. We will also utilize this new space for our growing school programs and birthday party business.

After 17 years, we are moving our largest fundraising event ”” our 18th Annual Food & Wine Celebration ”” to a Saturday. This fun “party on foot” will be held Saturday, June 6, featuring fine wines, delicious tastings from the area”™s top caterers and restaurants and a silent auction stocked with one-of-a-kind items and experiences. We are always looking for new corporate and individual supporters.

We hope you”™ll join us for any or all of these exciting events!

Melissa H. Mulrooney is executive director and CEO of the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, a member of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County.