Night at the Museum Raises a Cool $1 Million for Houston’s World of Wonder

When a Glittering Siren Calls

By Shelby Hodge // Mar 5, 2019

Photography Mike Rathke

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Ernie D. Cockrell, Bill Montgomery at the Houston Museum of Natural Science gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

The glories of the Houston Museum of Natural Science were on view during the annual gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

The glories of the Houston Museum of Natural Science wer on view during the annual gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

Museum director and gala chair Joel Bartsch, right, visits with guests at the Houston Museum of Natural Science gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

Chris & Leigh Joseph at the Houston Museum of Natural Science gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

Christy & Webb Jennings at the Houston Museum of Natural Science gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

Truett & Harriet Latimer at the Houston Museum of Natural Science gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

Honorees Janet & Ernie Cockrell at the Houston Museum of Natural Science gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

Jeanie Kilroy Wilson & Wally Wilson at the Houston Museum of Natural Science gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

Kay & Brandon Lobb at the Houston Museum of Natural Science gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

Neil & Marianne Duffin at the Houston Museum of Natural Science gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

Kelli & John Weinzierl at the Houston Museum of Natural Science gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

Kristi & George Lindahl at the Houston Museum of Natural Science gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

Mark Kelly & Patty Harris at the Houston Museum of Natural Science gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

Zane & Brady Carruth at the Houston Museum of Natural Science gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

Shawn Stephens & Jim Jordan at the Houston Museum of Natural Science gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

An intimate table set-up at the Houston Museum of Natural Science gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

The dinner setting for the Houston Museum of Natural Science gala, held at the museum. (Photo by Mike Rathke)

What: Houston Museum of Natural Science “World of Wonder” Gala

Where: The Houston Museum of Natural Science

PC Moment: Which was more exciting on this black-tie evening: The early viewing of the newly-acquired Siren of Serendip, the fabulous collection of jewels on the auction block or the $1 million-plus that was raised for Houston Museum of Natural Science programs?

The answer depends on your personal whim, however; it would be safe to say that all three elements contributed mightily to the successful gala.

It was a rare evening indeed with museum president and CEO Joel Bartsch and his wife, Susanne, chairing the gala and with the opportunity to get an early look at the magnificent Siren of Serendip, a mammoth sapphire mounted in a dazzling diamond necklace. The Bartsch gala leadership was particularly fitting as it was Joel Bartsch who brought the availability of the mega sapphire to museum donors. And it was Bartsch who selected the diamond, emerald, sapphire and ruby jewels for the silent auction, which has become one of the most tempting auctions in the city.

The former curator of the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals tells PaperCity that he viewed more than 5,000 gemstones and pieces of jewelry in his quest for auction items.

The evening honored Ernie Cockrell, the multi-generational Cockrell family and the Cockrell Foundation, all of which have been strong forces behind the museum’s excellence in growth and overall success.

More than 500 guests spread out across the museum for a seated dinner by City Kitchen, then reconnected for dancing to the sounds of Empire 6. On the occasion of the unveiling of the Siren of Serendip, a cocktail was named in the stone’s honor: a combo of tequila blanco, blue curacao and fresh lime juice served in a Tom Collins glass with a blue salted rim and a blue straw.

PC Seen: Janet Cockrell, Laurie and Reed Morian, Stephanie and Ernie D. Cockell, Estela and David Cockrell, Christy and Webb Jennings, Bobbie Nau, Nancy and Ken Williams, Jeanie Kilroy Wilson and Wally Wilson, Kelli and John Weinzierl, Shawn Stephens and Jim Jordan, Harriet and Truett Latimer, Kelly and Bill Montgomery, Susanne and Bill Pritchard, and Kay and Brandon Lobb.