Texas Seaport Museum Annual Plankowners Party And Auction Planned For June 4

The 2011 Plankowners’ Party and Auction gets underway at the Texas Seaport Museum on Saturday, June 4, 6:30 pm at Pier 22. Dinner, live music and a hefty cargo of unusual auction items will be on hand during the annual fund-raiser supporting the 1877 ELISSA. Tickets are $50 per person and $90 per couple and may be purchased online or by calling (409) 763-1877. Complimentary parking will be available at the museum.

“ELISSA is maintained today by a small professional staff and a crew of hundreds of volunteers. She is supported by donations large and small, in cash and kind, and is one of GHF’s signature visitor attractions. The annual Plankowner’s Party and Auction is a celebration of the community around the ship.” says Dwayne Jones, Galveston Historical Foundation Executive Director.

The evening features a seafood buffet from Fisherman’s Wharf, complimentary beer and wine, live entertainment by Sparky Koerner’s Jazz Express, live and silent auctions and a drawing for a daysail on ELISSA. Items to be auctioned this year include a Warbird flight; a sailing vacation on the Historic Maine Schooner AMERICAN EAGLE; dinner for eight onboard ELISSA; a one-of-a-kind ELISSA art glass illustration; a seven night retreat in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; a shrimping excursion and shrimp boil aboard the 1937 shrimper SANTA MARIA, a classic motor yacht cruise and brunch at Lakewood Yacht Club aboard the 1941 SERENTY and much more.

The Texas Seaport Museum initiated the ELISSA Plankowner’s Syndicate in 1980 to honor a special group of donors. Through in-kind and cash contributions, these individuals and businesses purchased planks for ELISSA’s decks. Membership in the Plankowner’s Syndicate is varied. The sale of the final plank inspired a new opportunity for the sale of 318 iron hullplates. In 1990, Hullplate Owners joined the Plankowner’s Syndicate as members of a unique support group. Plates can be purchased by businesses, groups, or individuals and can be in memory or in honor of someone. Those who attend the Plankowners’ Party are given the opportunity to become a member of the Plankowners’ Syndicate by purchasing a hullplate.

The Robert W. Knox, Sr., and Pearl Wallis Knox Charitable Foundation of Houston underwrite the Plankowners’ Party. Since 1964, the Knox Foundation has supported a variety of cultural and education projects in the Houston-Galveston area. Pearl Wallis Knox was a native Galvestonian; thus the Wallis Family’s historic ties to Galveston have made the Knox Foundation gifts to GHF particularly meaningful.

Advance reservations are appreciated, although tickets will continue to be sold up until the evening of the party at the door. For more information on the Texas Seaport Museum or the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA, please contact Becky Jones, at (409) 763-1877 or info@galvestonhistory.org.