INDEPENDENT SPIRIT

INDEPENDENT SPIRIT

by | Sep 1, 2024 | Fall/Winter 2024, Austin

Texas State History Museum Foundation Hosts Annual Texas Independence Day Dinner At The Bullock Museum

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Chris Caselli and Thao Nguyen

THE SETTING: The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin was the setting for a milestone annual event that has honored United States Presidents, sports legends, scientists, and many more. Over 350 of the state’s top community leaders, history lovers, sociables, and philanthropists gathered for the 20th annual Texas Independence Day Dinner hosted by the Texas State History Museum Foundation.

THE STYLE: The black-tie crowd began the evening by posing for images on the red carpet in front of the iconic Texas star outside of the Bullock. Once inside, partygoers ascended the atrium staircase to the mezzanine level for a cocktail reception. Guests were able to mingle, make new friends, and pose for photos with the honorees: former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and former President of UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dr. Kern Wildenthal.

Revelers then took their seats inside the Museum’s rotunda, which was transformed into an elegant pallet of red, orange, and pink flowers that complemented the gray tablescapes for the main program. As guests dined on their delicious multi-course meals, courtesy of The Four Seasons, they were treated to words from event leaders and moving speeches by Gonzales and Wildenthal, capping off a dazzling evening of fun and philanthropy.

THE PURPOSE: The event, co-chaired by Pam and Richard Leshin of Corpus Christi, raised over $850,000 for the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Proceeds from the event will help fund educational programs and special projects at the museum. Since 2001, over 9.3 million visitors, including 1.2 million children on school trips, have experienced the museum’s Award-winning exhibitions and programs. The 2025 Texas Independence Day Dinner will be held on March 12, 2025. For more information, visit TSHMF.org

LINKS TO TEXAS

LINKS TO TEXAS

by | Jun 30, 2021 | 2021 July August, R.S.V.P. TEXAS, Parties

19th Annual Texas Independence Day Dinner Honors Hall of Fame Golfers Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite

 

By Rob Giardinelli       Photography by Chris Caselli and Thao Nguyen

THE SETTING: A picture-perfect spring evening at the Four Seasons Austin was the recent setting for the 19th annual Texas Independence Day Dinner. The Texas State History Museum Foundation’s event featured philanthropists, VIPs, and sports enthusiasts from around the state. All were on hand to honor two Texas-bred sports legends, Hall of Fame golfers Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite, for a celebratory evening of fun that will always be remembered.

 

THE STYLE: The black-tie crowd featured a mix of dapper tuxedos and vibrant ball gowns, many of which featured bright colors reflective of the season…and the celebratory nature in the air. With pandemic protocol in place, the tee time of fun began as guests arrived for a photo commemorating the evening against the floral backdrop of the Texas Lone Star. Revelers then enjoyed the terrace for a lively cocktail hour where fans were able to congratulate the honorees while others reacquainted with friends.

 

The action then moved to the venue’s main ballroom where a delicious multi-course meal awaited them for the main program, or as we like to call it, the back nine. A highlight of the program was provided by legendary sportscaster Verne Lundquist, who introduced a touching video tribute, which brought smiles and happy tears to the adoring audience. The festivities were capped off with words from the two honorees, the perfect conclusion to what could be described as nothing less than a hall of fame evening reflective of its honorees.

 

THE PURPOSE: The event, chaired by Karl Rove, with Jan Bullock serving as honorary chair, raised over $800,000 for the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum’s educational programs and special projects. Since the event’s founding in 1999, the Texas State History Museum has raised over $32 million dollars for educational programs at the Bullock. Since its opening in 2001, the Museum has welcomed over 10 million visitors to experience award-winning exhibitions, media experiences, and educational programming, including 1.7 million school-aged children.

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CALL FOR INDEPENDENCE

CALL FOR INDEPENDENCE

by | May 30, 2020 | Texas, Summer 2020, Parties

Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum Foundation Hosts Texas Independence Day Dinner

By Rob Giardinelli             Photography by Chris Caselli and Thao Nguyen

THE SETTING:  The Bob Bullock Museum Texas State History Museum in Austin was the recent setting of the 16th annual Texas Independence Day Dinner. Over 350 of the state’s most notable sociables, dignitaries and philanthropists were on hand to celebrate the indomitable Texas spirit by honoring Texans who have made their mark in solidifying the Lone Star state as the dynamic place we call home.

 

THE STYLE:  The excitement for the evening was brimming even before patrons stepped into the Bullock, where partygoers received the red carpet treatment posing for photos against a lush, green backdrop framed by a Texas Lone Star. Once inside, revelers headed up the grand staircase of the Bullock for a lively cocktail hour where old friends from all corners of the state reacquainted, and new friendships were established.

The action then moved downstairs to the atrium of the Bullock for the evening’s program. As guests dined on a multicourse meal, they were treated to moving video tributes of each of the honorees. The first honoree, James Allison, Ph.D., won the Nobel Prize for his innovative discoveries in treating cancer. The second honorees were art and art education advocates and philanthropists, Edith and Peter O’Donnell, Jr. As the festivities ended, each person fortunate enough to be a part of such a special evening, left the event with a sense of pride in knowing how Texans positively impact the world in such diverse ways.

 

THE PURPOSE:  The gala, chaired by Lynn McBee, with Jan Bullock serving as honorary chair, raised over $810,000 for the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum’s educational programs and special projects. Each year the  Bullock Museum welcomes over 90,000 field trip participants throughout the state of Texas, plus an additional 16,000 students through distance learning programs.

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HISTORY-MAKING INDEPENDENCE

HISTORY-MAKING INDEPENDENCE

by | Apr 30, 2019 | 2019 May June, Parties

Texas Independence Day Dinner Honors Prominent Texans At The Bullock Museum

By Rob Giardinelli   Photography by Chris Caselli

THE SETTING: The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin was the venue for the 15 th Annual Texas Independence Day Dinner. The event, hosted by the Texas State History Museum Foundation, featured over 400 of the state’s most notable sociables and politicos for an evening of fun and tributes to two Texans who have made an indelible mark on the states culture and independent spirit: Charles Butt and Flaco Jimenez who were each honored with the History-Making Texan Award.

THE STYLE: The black-tie crowd kicked off the festivities in style before with a one-of-a-kind red carpet located at main entrance where attendees posed for photos with the iconic Texas star located outside of the museum as a backdrop while listening to ambient music courtesy of Austin Soundwaves Orchestra. Once inside, guests ascended the staircase in the main foyer of the Bullock to the second floor for cocktails where VIP’s had the opportunity mingle with the guests of honor.

The fun continued as partygoers gathered in the main foyer of the Bullock for the event program. The space, beautifully transformed in a sea of whites and metallics, with red floral décor that offered the space an extra pop of color, was where patrons dined on a delicious meal catered by The Four Seasons Hotel. Next came the tributes to the honorees, each of whom were the spotlight of a video showcasing the impact they have had on the state. After the program, the gracious honorees stayed well into the night to further mingle with VIP’s, capping off a magical evening that will be the talk of the Texas social scene for some time to come.

THE PURPOSE: The event, chaired by Carla Moran with Jan Bullock serving as honorary chair, raised over $1 million dollars for the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum educational programs and special projects.

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