700 Behind the Scenes at Chris Matthews’ Hardball
Priceless
MSNBC news commentator and host of Hardball, Chris Matthews (incidentally, our emcee’s husband) will welcome you and three of your guests to view the production of his prime-time show while backstage. Chris Matthews hosts Hardball with Chris Matthews Monday through Friday on MSNBC. Matthews is also the host of the syndicated weekly news program The Chris Matthews Show. In his own words on his website, Matthews says, “I have been interested in national politics since I was five years old. My main concerns are the role of the federal government in our daily lives and the role of America in the world. My main ambition as a journalist is to cut through the public relations and find the truth in what politicians are saying and doing.” Join Chris for a session in cutting through the public relations!
Courtesy of Chris Matthews
701 Luncheon at the Hay-Adams for Six with the First Lady of Manners
Priceless
The legendary Hay-Adams Hotel is located on the edge of historic Lafayette Square in Washington, DC. The 1920s hotel has become a local landmark, frequented by heads of state and dignitaries from all over the world. Enjoy a delicious lunch there with very special guest Letitia Baldrige. Remember the Kennedy years when “Tish” was the Chief of Staff for Jacqueline Kennedy in the White House? In addition to being a good friend of Mount Vernon, she is the author of two dozen books and is an etiquette icon for us all. What a wonderful opportunity to be with this lovely lady and your guests at this fabulous hotel.
Courtesy of Mary Davis Holt and David Holt
702 Behind the Scenes with National Gallery’s Curator David Alan Brown
Priceless
The inner workings of a museum can be fascinating and now is your chance to investigate up close with a leading expert in Italian Renaissance painting. Visit the National Gallery of Art’s Conservation Lab and Design Studio to learn first-hand how masterpieces are restored and exhibitions are designed. Your guide, David Alan Brown, holds a master's degree and doctorate in art history from Yale University and also studied at Cambridge University in England and Harvard University; he is sure to enthrall you. Afterwards, enjoy an elegant private lunch in the Gallery’s Refectory. The package is for six people.
Courtesy of David Alan Brown, Tour
Courtesy of Babs Beckwith, Private lunch
703 Tuscan Chef Prepares Dinner In Your Home
$650
Renowned chef, Franco Landini, will venture forth from his landmark restaurant, Landini Brothers in Old Town, Alexandria to come to your home and prepare an exquisite meal for you and five of your closest friends. Sample the latest dishes in Tuscan cuisine while watching this master chef prepare a four-course meal. Whether you have been to Tuscany and returned countless times for the region’s culinary delights, or if you have never been to the Tuscan area of Italy and are curious to know what all the fuss is about, this spectacular opportunity is for you!
Courtesy of Landini Brothers
704 Become a Character in a New Book about George Washington
$3,000
Have you always wanted to be or know someone in one of the novels you read? Now is your chance to guarantee you or a special young person in your life a little slice of immortality. Renowned adventure author Ted Bell, whose novels have been enjoyed for years by adults, has a new series for young people. His next book, The Revolutionary Spy, features George Washington and should be published in the summer of 2009. Bell will name a character in this new book after the winning bidder or someone whom the winning bidder designates. The author is a former Vice-Chairman of the Board and World-Wide Creative Director of Young & Rubicam, one of the world’s largest advertising agencies. He also is the New York Times bestselling author of Hawke, Assassin, Pirate, Spy, and Tsar. It could be you timelessly inscribed in his next heroic adventure.
Courtesy of Page Lee and Ted Bell
705 Dinner with Roger Mudd at Historic Home in Old Town for Eight
$2,000
Take advantage of this opportune time to invite your guests to a very special 1790s home in Alexandria’s classic Old Town! Have a scrumptious dinner with vintage wines and enjoy your evening in this beautifully restored and hospitable historic home with your guests and a very special guest, newsman and author Roger Mudd. A longtime friend of Mount Vernon, Mr. Mudd recently published The Place to Be: Washington, CBS, and the Glory Days of Television News.
Courtesy of Mary Davis Holt and David Holt
706 Enjoy a Special Vantage Point for NewsHour and Meet Gwen Ifill
Priceless
For 30 years, millions of Americans and citizens of the world have turned to MacNeil/Lehrer Productions for the solid, reliable reporting that has made the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer one of the most trusted news programs in television. The winner of this auction item entitles four people to take a special guided tour of the studio. You’ll watch as the show airs from the control room and hear the director’s cut of the show. After the show, veteran journalist and author Gwen Ifill will greet you and autograph copies of her new book, The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama. Ifill is the moderator for PBS's acclaimed Washington Week, a weekly roundtable discussion and analysis of current events in the nation's capital. She serves as a frequent guest panelist on NBC's Meet the Press and moderated vice presidential debates in both 2004 and 2008.
Courtesy of Cynthia Steele Vance and WETA
707 Opera and Dinner
$700
Clear your calendar for Sunday, May 24, 2009 and prepare for a wonderful treat for you and three friends. You and your guests have the opportunity to attend the Washington National Opera matinee performance of Puccini’s opera Turandot at the Kennedy Center. Set in ancient China, this is the story of a brave suitor who must solve three impossible riddles to win the hand of Princess Turandot. Afterwards, use the $100 gift card to enjoy a delicious dinner at one of four Washington hot spots: Acadiana, DC Coast, Ceiba or TenPenh (reservations required).
Courtesy of Paul and Joyce Stevens and Passion Foods
708 Dinner for Four at the Hay-Adams
$500
What could be better than enjoying a fabulous dinner with friends in The Lafayette dining room at the Hay-Adams Hotel. The Hay-Adams is one of Washington’s most revered landmarks, where nothing is overlooked but the White House. To compliment your fine dining experience, Tom Vogt, whom the great Lena Horne called her “favorite pianist in Washington,” graces the dining room with live piano music every night. Reservations required, tax and gratuities not included. Expires March 2010.
Courtesy of The Hay-Adams Hotel
709 Private Tour of the Book Vaults of the Folger Library
Priceless
Stacks to the max! Among the many wonderful libraries in Washington, the Folger Library stands out for its exceptional holdings of more than 250,000 books. British and European scholars particularly like the Folger because of its outstanding rare book collection. This personally guided tour for four people will take you inside the library’s vaults to see the most coveted tomes that date from before 1800; this is special access not available to the general public. Afterwards, you will be treated to tea with the Museum Director to discuss your newest discoveries.
Courtesy of the Folger Shakespeare Library
710 Behind the Scenes at the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC
$300
Enjoy a tour of the National Geographic Society’s museum and main building in downtown Washington (just blocks from the White House) and lunch for two. Included in this wonderful opportunity is a selection of National Geographic books perfect for your library: Tutenkhamen, Golden Age of the Pharaohs, The World of Islam, and March of the Penguins. The package also includes a DVD collection, Wild Chronicles: Season One.
Courtesy of National Geographic Society
711 Exclusive Tour of Ford’s Theatre Includes the Lincoln Box
Priceless
Washington, DC’s historic Ford’s Theatre is a living tribute to President Abraham Lincoln, who was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a performance of Our American Cousin. So, be sure to have your camera along when you and three guests enjoy a very special tour of the theater—including an on-stage visit—and its museum. You will also step inside Lincoln’s Box, a historic space not open to the general public. This is a privilege granted to very few. The tour is by appointment only and visitors in the Lincoln Box must be 10 or older.
Courtesy of Ford’s Theatre
712 Private Luncheon and Tour of the U.S. Department of State
Priceless
This exclusive luncheon is for up to 10 people in the Van Buren Dining Room at the U.S. Department of State. You and your guests will also visit the Diplomatic Reception Rooms with the former Director. See this stunning decorative arts collection where the world’s leaders are received. This superb opportunity is hosted by Melody Richardson, member of the Fine Arts Committee, U.S. Department of State, and Gail Serfaty, former Director of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms. A mutually convenient time within one year of the Mount Vernon auction date will be determined.
Courtesy of Gail Fitzgerald Serfaty and Mrs. Melody Sawyer Richardson, Vice Regent for Ohio
713 Relax with a Picnic under the Stars at Wolf Trap
$300
Nothing could be “greener” than a summer picnic at our nation’s only National Park for the performing arts. Linger under the stars on a beautiful vintage quilt as you reach into a charming picnic basket stocked with goodies from Whole Foods. Enjoy the company of three companions and the music of the National Symphony Orchestra. ($100 dollar Whole Foods gift certificate included.)
Courtesy of Paul and Joyce Stevens and Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
714 Dinner for Two at the Grille
$100
Nestled in the luxurious Morrison House, ranked by Travel + Leisure as one of the best hotels in the world, The Grille has long been a favorite for residents and visitors to Alexandria's charming Old Town neighborhood. Led by Chef Dennis Marron, The Grille offers two distinct menus, inspired by the season and the freshest of local ingredients.
Courtesy of Morrison House
715 American Decorative Arts and Gardens—Houston Style!
$1,500
Here’s a reason to schedule your next trip to Houston right away! Plan now to enjoy this private daytime tour of the celebrated Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, with its superb collection of American decorative arts. The Bayou Bend Collection is one of the nation's foremost assemblages of American decorative arts dating from 1620 through 1870. The Bayou Bend Gardens are themed garden rooms designed for living, exploring and entertaining, and a favorite destination for native Houstonians. After your day exploring this gorgeous house museum, you will be the guest of Mount Vernon’s Vice Regent for Texas, Mrs. John F. Bookout, and Mr. Bookout with a dinner for six at the River Oaks Country Club. To be scheduled at a time and date mutually convenient for the package sponsors.
Courtesy of Mrs. John F. Bookout, Vice Regent for Texas, and Mr. Bookout, and the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens.
