Friday, June 19, 2026 | 6:00pm to 9:00pm
A cocktail party fundraiser dedicated to advancing our educational mission and honoring extraordinary individuals who have made lasting contributions to our community.
Venue: the Historic Boathouse on Wappinger Creek
105 Market Street, Wappingers Falls NY 12590
SILENT AUCTION
We've put together a wonderful array of 12 silent auction prizes, all featuring unique experiences that highlight our beautiful village, town, hamlets and the surrounding mid-Hudson Valley ~ think private tours of interesting places not generally open to the public, dining and touring around the Hudson Valley, one-of-a-kind artwork, locally grown dahlia bouquets, beer and wine, and more! Scroll down to preview all the wonderful silent auction items that are part of our Gala. "Buy it Now" advanced purchase will begin on June 3rd - June 17th.
The Dahlia Lover’s Private Garden Experience: Three (3) Freshly Cut Bouquets of Dahlias from the Wappinger Heritage Dahlia Garden at Carnwath Community Farming, Plus a Twilight Garden Tour for your group of up to six (6) People.
Calling all dahlia lovers! This very special prize benefits both the Wappingers Historical Society AND the Wappinger Heritage Dahlia Garden Project! Dahlia history in Wappinger runs deep – all the way back to 1901 – and thanks to the efforts of Kate Cahill and numerous dedicated gardeners, dahlias are growing again at Carnwath Farms Historic Site and Park.
This year’s dahlia garden will be home to nearly 1,500 plants of 100s of dahlia varieties, with peak blooms in September and October. Bring the stunning beauty of these flowers into your home during these months with a total of three (3) bouquets, each consisting of a minimum of 20 stems of assorted colors and varieties (with input from the winner encouraged!). Plus, bring your camera and learn all about the garden with a special private twilight tour for up to six (6) people. The tour is given by Kate Cahill, dahlia collector and founder of the Wappinger Heritage Dahlia Garden Project, who is very excited to share her love of dahlias with you!
The Winner of this auction will receive contact information from the WHS office, and you’ll be able to arrange a bouquet pick up schedule and tour date with Kate Cahill directly. Redeem from September-October 2026 only.
A Touch of Peacock Magic: A one-of-a-kind collage designed and hand-crafted by local artist Marian McEvoy.
Riffing on the theme of this year’s Spirit of Mesier Celebrates Magic, artist Marian McEvoy has created a 18" by 24” framed collage of peacock feathers celebrating the Wappingers’ community and role Wappingers Historical Society has in making Wappingers a special place.
Since retiring from publishing, where, among many assignments, she was the founding editor of Elle Decor and then as editor-in-chief of House Beautiful, Marian has focused on creating and crafting unique home decor items such as collages with pressed flowers and leaves, obelisks adorned with cork, fabric and wallpaper designs and lampshades with whimsical drawings.
Her work can be found as part of KRBNYC.com collections and is widely used by designers and home owners desiring innovative pieces, reflecting a deep appreciation for nature, natural forms and folk art.
This collage will be available for pickup at the close of the auction, either in person at the gala or by appointment at the Mesier Homestead in the village of Wappingers Falls at a later date.
The Private Carriage House Collection Experience: Exclusive Tour of a Private Collection of Historic Horse-drawn Carriages, Sleighs & Equestrian Memorabilia for up to eight (8) guests.
Step through the doors of Dick Lahey’s remarkable Wappingers barn and into a world of Hudson Valley history. Over more than 50 years of passionate collecting, Dick has assembled an extraordinary private collection of 19th-century horse-drawn carriages and sleighs dating from approximately 1860–1900, along with beautifully preserved tack, accessories, photographs, prints, and equestrian artwork. Many of the carriages and sleighs were owned and driven locally.
Housed in a sprawling two-story barn, this rarely seen collection offers a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era when elegant carriages and finely crafted sleighs traveled the roads of the Hudson Valley. Every corner holds a story, making this experience feel less like a tour and more like discovering a secret museum hidden in plain sight.
This special opportunity is perfect for history enthusiasts, equestrian lovers, and anyone fascinated by craftsmanship, transportation, and life in the 19th-century Hudson Valley.
This Auction item offers a private tour for up to eight (8) people. Lead by Dick Lahey, you will explore both levels of the barn, which is located on River Road North in the hamlet of Chelsea. Because the barn is unheated, the tour is available only during the months of April – October, and includes walking, plus one flight of stairs between the two levels of the barn.
The Winner of this auction will receive contact information from the WHS office, and you’ll be able to arrange a tour date with Dick Lahey directly.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Silver Sponsors
Denny and Rosemary Evaul
Joseph D. Cavaccini
Bronze Sponsors
Grace and Michael Martin
Alison Spear and Alex Reese
Marcy L. Wagman
Al and Toni Casella
Kim and John Lawrence
Donors
Brent Financial Group, LLC
Lafayette Lodge No. 18, I.O.O.F.
Legion Fireworks Co. Inc.
Richard Tallman
Beth & Jack Devine
Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home
Marie Needham
The Holohan and Costello Families
Sponsorships are available for next year's gala. More information? 845-632-1281