FLEMING - Serving history with a sense of class, caretakers of the Cayuga Museum came together in formal attire Saturday night to celebrate and secure donations needed to help keep the county past alive.

Attending the annual fundraiser for the first time was the new curator of the museum, Carrie Barrett.

“It's a noble cause - a chance to get all dressed up and meet people of this area that are truly dedicated individuals. We're in a historical place right here, the Springside Inn,” Barrett said.

In the ballroom, set with white tablecloths and china, the gentle sound of an upright bass and saxophone helped a house band create the mood.

Displays of paintings, a delicately handcrafted mantle clock and other items were politely perused for a silent auction.

“We call it the Blast for the Past. It's our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said executive director of the museum, Eileen McHugh. “It pays for exhibits and events, the utilities and the staff salaries, all the ongoing expenses. It's a constant struggle to raise operating funds for the museum.

Meanwhile, attendance to the museum is increasing. According to McHugh, 9,700 people visited last year, a 30 percent increase compared to the year before.

In unison with the curator's philosophy, an upcoming exhibit promises to be a lesson in area history, with a good measure of social studies involved. Called “The Games People Play,” the sports-themed venture will begin at the end of June and be offered the following three months.

“We will be looking not just for rich and famous players, but the relationship between sports and society. The immigrants that came to Auburn to work in factories; the coaches that taught the people who had an impact on our society. The evolution of recreation,” said McHugh.

Creating an awareness of the museum, particularly among the younger population, is a goal of many museum board of trustee members. In attendance for the dinner was one such example, who regularly visited the facility - and eventually stayed.

“When I was 4 years old my father used to take me to the museum. I remember going through the hall looking at the exhibits. That's probably when my interest began,” said Nick Oristian, of Auburn.

“I started out in sixth-grade, working as a volun-teen, they called us - taking people around the museum and the Case laboratory. I did that for three years. Last year I was called up in a paying position.”