Customs House Museum Hosts Flying High Fundraiser

The Museum Guild hosted an Italian-themed evening in October 2026 to support local education and historic preservation.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Philanthropy

Customs House Museum Hosts Flying High Fundraiser

The Customs House Museum and Cultural Center held its annual Flying High fundraiser in October 2026 at the Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel. The event, themed A Night in Capri, was organized by the Museum Guild to support local community education and preservation efforts.

Why it matters

All proceeds from the event directly support the mission of the museum, ensuring continued public access to educational programming and the preservation of its historic facilities in Clarksville.

The museum maintains four decorative eagles on its Victorian building, which have remained a focal point since their installation in 1898. The event also highlighted artist Alan LeQuire, creator of the 42-foot Athena Parthenos sculpture located in Nashville.

The players

Customs House Museum and Cultural Center

This institution serves as a center for community education and historical preservation in the Clarksville area.

Museum Guild

This organization acts as the primary support group dedicated to hosting fundraising and social events for the museum.

Traditions First Bank

This local financial institution provides corporate sponsorship for community organizations and cultural events.

Alan LeQuire

He is a prominent sculptor known for creating large-scale works including the Athena Parthenos statue.

The details

Attendees at the Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel participated in both silent and live auctions to contribute to the museum's operational goals. Traditions First Bank served as the title sponsor for the evening of community support.

The decorative eagle was first placed atop the museum building in 1898.
The Flying High fundraiser took place in October 2026.

Market Landscape

The fundraiser follows the historical precedent established by the 1898 installation of the decorative eagle on the museum's Victorian building. This event serves to ensure the institution remains a viable cultural pillar amidst modern competition for charitable donations.

Residents and supporters directly influence the accessibility of museum programs through their attendance at these annual events. The financial contributions secured during the fundraiser help maintain the facility's historic architecture and future exhibits for all visitors.

The takeaway

Community-led fundraising remains a critical mechanism for preserving local landmarks that have stood for over a century. Engaging with annual events like Flying High provides residents with a practical way to ensure historical resources remain open to the public.