Fort Ligonier receives museum association award for innovative fundraiser

Fort Ligonier’s Cannon Ball Online Auction and Party to Go received a 2021 Special Achievement Award from PA Museums, an independent statewide museum association that supports the Pennsylvania museum community.

Usually an in-person event, the Cannon Ball was restructured in September due to pandemic gathering restrictions.

It featured an online auction of items such as print No. 2 of Chas Fagan’s painting, “Flash Point,” and packaged hors d’oeuvres by Vallozzi’s.

Fort staff dressed in period clothing to provide curbside pickup service of Party to Go packages on Sept. 18.

The new 1762 Whiskey inspired by the Archibald Blane painting of Fort Ligonier also was unveiled during the event.

“The Cannon Ball is our major benefit of the year, and it was so important that we could adapt and make it as successful as we could,” said Julie Donovan, Fort Ligonier’s director of marketing and public relations. “Our goal was to successfully coordinate the Fort’s major fundraiser during the pandemic while safely engaging with our supporters and adding fun elements influenced by the Fort’s colonial history.

“2019 was our most successful year, and we didn’t reach 2019 numbers, but we exceeded our 2018 numbers,” she added.

The awards recognize special achievements of museums and historical organizations in Pennsylvania. Institutions can nominate an individual, project or process that is exemplary, such as an exhibition, program or renovations.

While institutions can self-nominate for awards, there are criteria to be followed and nominations are reviewed by a committee, Donovan said. Among criteria for recognition is the demonstration of a successful fiscal model.

“The clever way we promoted the Cannon Ball was very successful for our purposes,” Donovan said.

Part of the event marketing included videos of Assistant Education Director Matt Gault portraying George Washington to discuss the auction items.

“The fort has been recognized before,” Donovan said. “Last year, we were recognized for George Washington’s birthday party and, the year before, the reinterpretation of the museum was recognized.”

In addition to Fort Ligonier, this year’s Institutional Awards were presented to Berks History Center, Fort Pitt Museum, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, The Museum of the American Revolution, Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum and Pennsylvania Historical Association.

“PA Museums’ annual awards are meant to inspire the museum field and impress visitors to experience museums,” said Rusty Baker, executive director of PA Museums. “Pennsylvania’s museums and historical organizations are star performers and we are proud to recognize the great work being done throughout the Commonwealth.“