Patrons Ball: Gala of the year
September 1, 2014 by Marguerite House
"The Last Ball of the Season," engraving by Augustus Hoppin (1828 – 1896). Appeared in "Harper's Weekly," February 20, 1858. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. LC-USZC2-6400
The countdown has begun for the Buffalo Bill Center of the West's annual benefit gala, Patrons Ball on September 20. Touted as the "premier social event of the Northern Rockies," the Ball has all the trappings of an extraordinary evening: food, fun, and friends—and all for a worthy cause.
First Annual Buffalo Bill Memorial Association Patrons Ball, September 24, 1977.
The black-tie affair began in 1977. A short paragraph in the March 1977 Buffalo Bill Historical Center (now Buffalo Bill Center of the West) newsletter was short and not the least bit prophetic. It said simply, "Mrs. William D. Weiss has been named general chairman for a festive event set for Saturday night, September 24. This Patrons Dinner Dance will celebrate the Buffalo Bill Museum's 50th season [opened in 1927] and also the progress on the new Plains Indian Museum fund drive."
Nothing in those few words hinted that, with this year's 38th Annual Patrons Ball set for September 20, the Buffalo Bill Memorial Association would still be celebrating the Center's "season"—this time, not one museum but five, and not fifty seasons, but 87! The Center's Patrons Ball is now its biggest fundraiser with all proceeds benefiting the programs and public activities of the Center.
Another ball to celebrate an organization: William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody (1846 – 1917) attending the First Annual Showmen's League of America Ball as president of the organization, March 4, 1914, Sherman Hotel, Chicago, Illinois. Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody, Wyoming, USA. MS6 William F. Cody Collection. P.6.845
"Patronship and getting to know each other will be given top priority," Mrs. Weiss added in June 1977. "All persons, from pioneers of the State to newcomers, who are interested in the culture and preservation of this great achievement [specifically, the successful fundraising for the Plains Indian Museum] should plan now to take part in the festive, historical celebration."
These days, Patrons Ball is the finale of the week-long Rendezvous Royale celebration of the arts here in Cody. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or call 307-578-4008.
Support the work of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West as it carries on the tradition of the American West. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "Be an opener of doors for such as come after thee, and do not try to make the universe a blind alley."
Patrons Ball 2013. Ken Blackbird photo for the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.
Open some doors at this year's Patrons Ball!
Filed Under: Staff Tagged With: Art benefits, Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody, Galas, Library of Congress, Museum benefit, Patrons Ball, William F. Cody
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About Marguerite House
Marguerite House served as the Center of the West's Acting Director of Public Relations until her retirement at the end of 2018, and as editor of its member magazine, Points West, through May 2019. Following a seven-year stint as Business Manager for the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce, Marguerite moved "across the street" to the Center in 1999. She then held five different positions in three of the Center's four divisions, landing in PR in 2005. "I think that [gave] me all kinds of perspectives for our readers," she says. She enjoys writing (especially a weekly column for the local newspaper called "On the House"), cooking, and spending time with her six grandkids.