DOWAGIAC — As members of the Dowagiac community shuffled into the Dowagiac Elks Lodge Wednesday evening, they were surrounded by a mix of both old and new pieces of the city’s history.

At the Dowagiac Area History Museum’s third annual Keep History Alive fundraiser, guests were supporting a cause close to the community, to help fund the museum’s continued operations. 

“It’s our primary fundraising effort throughout the year,” said director Steve Arseneau. “It’s a little bit less than a third, but more than 25 percent, of our annual funding.”

Similar to last year’s turnout, the fundraiser had sold about 155 tickets in advance and several at the door.

“We raised $20,000 last year, and we’d like to exceed that this year,” Arseneau said. “I’m hoping to get to about $22,000.”

Later in the evening, Arseneau spoke to a packed house at the Elks Lodge about how the museum has become a part of the community’s fabric.

He said the museum has served more than 30,000 visitors, opened new exhibits, had many programs and hosted thousands of area students on school tours throughout its years of operation. He also said the museum has partnered with many organizations.

Museum volunteers and members reached out to local businesses in Dowagiac and Sister Lakes for donations to be included in the silent and live auctions. The community responded by providing more than 80 items.

“The business community and individuals in the community who step up and donate items for this event, I can’t thank them enough,” Arseneau said. “It shows their support for the institution.”

Another 30 percent of the museum’s budget comes from the city of Dowagiac. Several city councilmembers and City Manager Kevin Anderson were in attendance.

“I thank the city for their continued support of the museum and recognizing the importance of our history,” Arseneau said to the crowd. “If the city had not stepped back up in 2012, the city would likely would not have a museum. Thank you so much for the city leaders who saw that we needed to have a museum. “

As event attendees enjoyed a barbecue dinner provided by the Lodge, auction items were on display for the silent and live auction.

In the center of the room — beyond sports tickets — also stood local artist, Rich Herter’s painting, “Ground Zero: Eagles on a Station,” depicting the first military aircraft in the skies over the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001. The print was signed by Herter and the two pilots who depicted the scene. Earlier in the night, Arseneau honored the historical date with a moment of silence.

Alice Lewis was another local artist represented in the auction. She had an original watercolor painting of a house in Dowagiac that was bid on during the live auction. Auctioneer John Glassman kept the audience entertained while members of the community took turns bidding on an array of items.

As guests walked out of the event, they might have taken their own piece of Dowagiac history with them, as local history artifacts were in the auction, including an original Round Oak Spoon, a tip tray with Dowagiac Drill Company advertising and a Round Oak medallion display piece.