The Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum will invite the public to experience its exhibits in an unusual setting when it hosts “A Night at the Museum: After Dark” on Aug. 22. Organizers said the annual fundraiser, renamed this year, is designed to let visitors see behind the scenes while supporting the museum’s operations.
After-hours access and behind-the-scenes tours
Executive Director Trevor Allen said the event takes advantage of the museum’s nocturnal setting to show a different side of the institution. "Like most museums, what the public sees is just the tip of the iceberg," Allen said, describing how staff and volunteers interact with collections and displays outside normal visiting hours.
One of the featured offerings will be a flashlight tour led by a docent through parts of the museum that are not usually highlighted during daytime hours. Organizers said the tour will include a few surprises designed to give longtime visitors a fresh perspective on the museum’s holdings.
Silent auction highlights local artists
The event will include a silent auction comprised of works donated by local artists. Allen noted the auction will include pieces from the collection of Vallejo artist Dorothy Herger, who is 101 years old. He said the museum intends to honor Herger’s generosity and her place in the city’s artistic history.
"These are not accessioned items. As an accredited museum, we would never sell off our artifacts. But (Herger) has given us some wonderful artwork. It is a piece of Vallejo’s history and the history of Vallejo itself," Allen said.
Museum Board President Jeriann Guzman said the auction items are donated and distinct from the museum’s permanent collection. None of the items up for bid are artifacts from the museum’s holdings, the organizers emphasized.
Food, drink and community focus
For the seated portion of the evening, guests will be offered hors d’oeuvres under a menu billed as “A Taste From Around the World.” Guzman said the menu recognizes Vallejo’s culturally diverse community and that the food will be provided by local restaurants.
- Event: A Night at the Museum: After Dark
- Date: Aug. 22
- Features: Silent auction, flashlight tour, hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants
Organizers said they deliberately selected lighter fare so guests could move through the museum and between tables without restriction. To protect collections, beer, wine and food will not be allowed in other parts of the museum outside the designated seated area.
Fundraising and community engagement
Formerly the museum’s gala and annual fundraiser, the reimagined event is intended to broaden participation by offering an after-hours experience. Guzman and museum staff framed the night as both a social occasion and an opportunity to deepen community ties to the museum’s mission.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Silent auction | Donated artwork, including pieces from Dorothy Herger collection (non-accessioned) |
| Food | Hors d’oeuvres from local Vallejo restaurants; light menu to allow movement |
| Tours | Docent-led flashlight tours with special elements |
Organizers encouraged the public to attend to experience the museum in a new way and support its programming. Details on ticketing and how proceeds will be allocated were not released in the announcement.
The Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum, located in the city’s downtown waterfront area, has been a repository of local maritime and community history. The after-dark fundraiser represents another effort by the museum to engage Vallejo residents, local artists and volunteers in sustaining its operations and educational work.
