Discovery Park of America hosts unique auction of artifacts and memorabilia at upcoming gala and fundraiser
February 21, 2024
Discovery Park of America hosts unique auction of artifacts and memorabilia at upcoming gala and fundraiser
(Union City, Tennessee, Feb. 21, 2024) — Discovery Park of America will be mounting a one-of-a-kind exhibit and silent auction of artifacts and memorabilia at the 2024 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards. The gala and fundraiser will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at the museum and heritage park.
The recipients of the 2024 Discovery Awards are Dr. Nick Dunagan of Martin, Deanie Parker of Memphis, David Ring of Massachusetts and Elizabeth Taylor of Jackson.
Included in the exhibit and silent auction will be memorabilia such as photos from the history of Obion County—including a rare set by Verne and Nonie Sabin—and a framed photo autographed by American military leader Douglass MacArthur. Attendees can also bid on one-of-a-kind items from the archives like a vintage sign advertising Kickapoo Joy Juice, handmade wooden bowls likely from the late 1800s, a vintage Chinese opium pipe, a Vietnam and Pacific Theater short sword, vintage water buffalo horns etched with different scenes/images and more.
“Perhaps one of the most unusual items I’ve seen in the collection for the silent auction is a bottle of snake wine brought back to the United States as a souvenir from Vietnam. You can actually see the snake in the bottle,” said Discovery Park’s director of development, Mary Nita Bondurant. “Whether they get to take one of these rare artifacts home or not, I think our guests will be fascinated by this and some of the other items that will be on display and for bid.”
Items for the exhibit and silent auction were selected by a committee at Discovery Park that included the senior director of exhibits and collections, Jennifer Wildes.
“By rehoming these items, the museum is keeping with best practices to periodically evaluate and retain a manageable collection to ensure that it can properly care for, store, and display the artifacts within it as new items continue to come into its possession,” said Wildes.
The funds generated from the auction will be utilized to grow and care for the artifacts in Discovery Park’s permanent collection.
A limited number of tickets to the 2024 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards are still available at discoveryparkofamerica.com/gala2024.
Discovery Park staff members Kayla Uzzle and Jennifer Wildes reviewing a selection of the artifacts and memorabilia selected for exhibit and silent auction at the museum’s upcoming gala and fundraiser.
