Masquerade in the Mansion at Roberson!

Confluence

December 2012

Greetings!

Have you experienced the magic of a Roberson Tradition yet this year? Thousands of community members have been in to explore our annual Home for the Holidays displays. We invite you to plan a visit to enjoy the dazzling displays, including the Roberson Mansion, and enjoy holiday traditions from around the world. Home for the Holidays runs seven days a week with expanded* hours through December 30.

With the new year right around the corner, be sure to make plans to ring in 2013 in style with Roberson at our Masquerade in the Mansion. We'll warn you, tickets are selling fast. Check below for more information on reserving your spot for this tremendous party presented by Roberson and BingSpot.

Explore this edition of Confluence to learn more about what's going at at Roberson during Home for the Holidays, what else is happening at Roberson, and then make sure to plan a visit. We look forward to seeing you soon!

*Please note we'll be closing at 5pm on Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 for private holiday parties.

What's Happening at Roberson...

New Year's Eve Masquerade in the Mansion: Tickets On Sale Now!

Plan Your Visits: 2012 Home for the Holidays

A Community Treasure: Donate to Roberson's Annual Fund Drive

Roberson Rewards: Membership Program

Perfect Holiday Shopping: Roberson's Museum Gift Shop

Rentals at Roberson: Celebrate your Special Occasion with us!

Ring in 2013 in Style:
Masquerade in the Mansion

Break out your mask, dust off your feathers, and get ready for the one-and-only MASQUERADE IN THE MANSION brought to you by BingSpot and Roberson Museum and Science Center.

ACT NOW - TICKETS ARE GOING FAST!

Live music, masks, a rockin' DJ, the Roberson Mansion and so much more...oh it's going to be another awesome party! Won't you join Roberson and BingSpot to ring in 2013 in elegance and style? Last year sold out so don't get left behind!

Celebrate in Elegance and Style Inside

THE ROBERSON MANSION

Party Takes Place December 31, 2012 9 PM to January 1, 2013 2 AM

Tickets just $45

Bar service available, provided by Terra Cotta

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Guests at Masquerade in the Mansion will enjoy the celebration on multiple floors of the Roberson Mansion including live music, dancing in the beautiful ballroom, entertainment, hors d'oeuvres, the Home for the Holidays displays, a Midnight champagne toast, bar service provided by Terra Cotta and much more.

2012 Home for the Holidays

It's FUN, it's MAGIC,

it's a COMMUNITY TRADITION!

Community members, local businesses and Roberson staff members have beautifully decorated the Museum and Roberson Mansion. The celebration is being made even more fun by the presence of music, dance and interactive activities for families.

Remember, Roberson is open seven days a week with expanded hours. Below is a list of weekend activities taking place during the next couple of weeks of Home for the Holidays. Stay tuned to www.roberson.org for the full list of activities.

Weekend of December 7-9

Sponsored by ClearChannel Radio

Friday, December 7: Open 11am - 9pm

Shepherd and Ewe - Piano and Cello in Mansion 5-9pm

Joyful Ensemble - Instrumental Group in Wurts Gallery 7-8 pm

Saturday, December 8: 11am- closing at 5pm for private party

Sponsored by ClearChannel Radio

Mix 103.3 Live Broadcast 11am-1pm

Girl Scout Badge Program (Registration required) 12-2 pm

Civil War Lecture Series: Richmond is a Hard Road To Travel: The Battle of Fredericksburg - Visitor Center Theater (Registration required) 12-2

Live, Colorful, Talking Parrot Exhibit provided by Parrot Safari and Binghamton University - Roaming, 12:30-3:30pm

Holiday Crafts - Holiday Craft Cave 12:30-3:30

Mansion Tours at 2 and 3

Claudia Kachmarik - Piano in Mansion 1-3

Holy Spirit Church Ethnic Dancers - Ballroom 2:30-3:00

Sunday, December 9: Open 11am - 5pm

Sponsored by ClearChannel Radio

Charlene Thompson and Martin Bidney 1-2

Curt Osgood and Annie Simpson - Dulcimer and Guitar 1-3

English Country Dancers of Binghamton - Ballroom 2-3

Holiday Crafts - Holiday Craft Cave 12:30-3:30

Mansion Tours at 1, 2 and 3

Swing Dance Society: 3:30-6:30 in Ballroom.

Weekend of December Friday 14-16

Sponsored by Cool 100/Q106.7

Friday, December 14: Open 11am - 9pm

Sponsored by Cool 100/Q106.7

Czechoslovak Moravian Club Dancers - Ballroom 6:30

Saturday, December 15: 11am - closing at 5pm for private party

Sponsored by Cool 100/Q106.7

Humane Society Adopt-A-Thon - Visitor Center Theater 12-3

Live, Colorful, Talking Parrot Exhibit provided by Parrot Safari and Binghamton University - Roaming, 12:30-3:30pm

First Baptist Church of Maine Choir - Visitor Center 1-3

Four of Hearts - Female Barbershop Quartet - Wandering 1-3

Irene Martin - Piano in the Mansion 1-3

Holiday Crafts - Holiday Craft Cave 12:30-3:30

Mansion Tours at 1, 2 and 3

Sunday, December 16- 11 am - 5pm

Sponsored by Cool 100/Q106.7

German-American Club of Binghamton Choir - Wandering 2-3

Irene Martin - Piano in the Mansion 1-3

Simple Gifts - Recorder and Classical Guitar in Wurts Gallery 2-3

Recorder Ensemble in Wurts Gallery 3-4

Holiday Crafts - Holiday Craft Cave 12:30-3:30

Mansion Tours at 1, 2 and 3

Weekend of December 21

Sponsored by Sentry Alarms

Saturday, December 22: Open 11am - 9pm

Sponsored by Sentry Alarms

Sidewalk Astronomy from

Kopernik Observatory, 12:30-3:30 (Telescope viewing weather dependent)

Irene Martin - Piano in the Mansion 12-1

Holiday Crafts - Holiday Craft Cave 12:30-3:30

Mansion Tours at 1, 2 and 3

Sunday, December 23: Open 11am - 5pm

Sponsored by Sentry Alarms

Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church Choir - Visitor Center 1-2

Sidewalk Astronomy from Kopernik Observatory, 12:30-3:30pm (Telescope viewing weather dependent)

Holiday Crafts - Holiday Craft Cave 12:30-3:30

Mansion Tours at 1, 2 and 3

December 26, 27, 28:

Adventure Week (Extra Fee and Registration Required) 9-3 pm

Weekend of December 28-30

Saturday, December 29: Open 11am - 9pm

Civil War Lecture Series - Visitor Center Theater (Registration required) 12-2

Sidewalk Astronomy from Kopernik Observatory, 12:30-3:30pm (Telescope viewing weather dependent)

Holiday Crafts - Holiday Craft Cave 12:30-3:30

Mansion Tours at 1, 2 and 3

Sunday, December 30: Open 11am - 5pm

Sidewalk Astronomy from Kopernik Observatory, 12:30-3:30pm (Telescope viewing weather dependent)

Holiday Crafts - Holiday Craft Cave 12:30-3:30

Mansion Tours at 1, 2 and 3

Donate Today: Roberson's Annual Fund Drive

Roberson's Treasures

What does that mean to you?

Does it mean our excellent exhibitions like The Civil War, our Model Train Layout, or our newest: Treasures of the Vault?.... Or maybe you think about our amazing collections, like those we store in our vault?... Or might you think of Roberson as a treasure chosen, by the New York State Museum, to display Abraham Lincoln's Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation? Are we a treasure because of our new Digital Planetarium (the only public planetarium within 75 miles) with its riveting shows like Sea Monsters ?

Maybe you see us as a treasure because we're a hub of community activity, bringing our annual Home for the Holidays gala, our Wine & Food Fest, and now, our popular New Year's event: Masquerade in the Mansion.

Do you think of our Mansion Ballroom as a treasure ? We are now home to three local theater groups who perform in the Ballroom and host many splendid events there.

Roberson's Treasures

Do you know what that means to us?

It means all of those things and more. It means you.

You are the reason we mount excellent exhibitions, house tens of thousands of amazing artifacts, present exciting Planetarium shows, host annual events and share our beautiful facility with others.

You are our purpose and our partners. This year, please consider the many ways that Roberson is a treasure for you, and our entire community. The generous donation that you provide makes you a valuable treasure to Roberson.

With sincere thanks,

Terry McDonald, Executive Director

P.S. Roberson's programs reflect the community we serve. Please give generously.

Roberson Rewards:

Connecting You to our Community

What better time than the holiday season to give the gift of membership? A Roberson Rewards Membership is sure to delight even the "hard to buy for" people on your shopping list!

Each month we highlight one of the local businesses offering discounts to Roberson Members as a Rewards participant. This month we spotlight...

Reward for Roberson Members: $3 off Vino-Visa Coupon Book featuring discounts at multiple venues. Call 800-684-5217 and use code RobersonVino.

If you're not already a member, JOIN TODAY to take advantage of an even more REWARDING membership!

Quick Reference Guide: Upcoming Events

ON VIEW: "Treasures of the Vault"

Celebrating the history, abundance and diversity of Roberson's collections, the community donors who gave them; and the exceptional strides made by our staff to make our collections accessible.

Home for the Holidays Now - Dec. 30

Enjoy dazzling displays and explore holiday traditions from around the world. Full schedule at www.roberson.org

Civil War Lecture Series

$8 adults, $6 students/seniors, Members Free

December 8

"Richmond is a Hard Road to Travel: The Battle of Fredericksburg." Presented by Joseph Card from 12-2pm.

December 29

"No Better Place to Die: the Battle for Middle Tennessee at Stone's River."

Presented by Dr. Michael Bogdasarian from 12-2pm.

12.31.12 Masquerade in the Mansion Dec. 31

Ring in 2013 in elegance and style with Roberson and BingSpot! Tickets on sale now.

SRO Presents "Godspell" Jan. 19-27

Tickets will be available in December from SRO. CLICK HERE to visit their site.

ON VIEW: "The Civil War"

Roberson commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War with a grand exhibition featuring compelling real-life stories of individuals from our region. Through various learning experiences visitors will discover how the Civil War changed lives in our communities.

Roberson's Museum Gift Shop

Roberson's Museum Shop has gifts for everyone.

Explore our unique variety of jewelry, books, toys, ornaments, decorative cards and artwork from local artists. The shop also features pottery, clothing, canvas bags and more.

Take advantage of high quality items at low gift shop prices.

Whether shopping for yourself or someone else, new items are added daily to Roberson's gift shop, making for a great gift-buying experience.

CLICK HERE to see more photos of Holiday Selections in our Gift Shop

Give the Gift of Roberson.

Gift Certificates and Roberson Rewards Memberships are available in the Museum Gift Shop.

CLICK HERE for more information on Roberson's Museum Gift Shop

New Addition Within

Expanded Model Train Layout

Bruce Boyea, Chairman, President &
Chief Executive Officer of Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York recently visited Roberson to help us install a replica of the Security Mutual Life Building.

Roberson Museum and Science Center is proud to offer its visitors the opportunity to explore the region's largest public model train display. The layout is located on the first floor of the museum.

Be sure to visit the Model Train Display and explore our depiction of the area's landscape in the 1950s time period. You'll be sure to spot some recognizable businesses and landmarks!

Roberson's Digital Planetarium

No matter the weather or time of year, there's always an incredible view of the stars and planets from inside our new Digital Planetarium.

From astronomy topics to monsters of the deep sea and rockin' laser shows, the new digital software provides fun, reliable and flexible educational programs for school audiences, afterschool programs, summer camps and significantly enhances the visitor experience.

CLICK HERE for Digital Planetarium Show Schedules

Planning a birthday or fun celebration? Roberson's Digital Planetarium is available to rent for parties! Contact Colleen at 772-0660 ext. 211 for more information.

Planning a Memorable Occasion?

Roberson offers ample space and a great environment in both the mansion and museum, including our beautiful newly restored mansion ballroom.

Rentals available for any occasion. Whether it's birthday parties, bridal showers, receptions, social gatherings or corporate events Roberson provides a unique setting to make your event a memorable one!

For more information on rentals at Roberson click here or call our event coordinator at 607-772-0660 ext. 211

Roberson's Wish List

If you, your business or someone you know has items you no longer use or would like to donate, please consider a donation to Roberson.

What we could use...

Volunteers

If you're interested in volunteering at Roberson, we want to hear from you. Volunteer opportunities available for special events and in various museum departments.

Email info@roberson.org if you're interested.

Facilities Wish List

Vacuum Cleaners

Pick-up Truck

Working vehicles

(any condition as long as it runs)

Education Department Wish List

School supplies

Craft materials

Plastic Baggies

Event/Rentals Wish List

7' of 8' Artificial Trees

White Lights

Decorations

Clothing Steamer

Linens

Knives, serving utensils

All donations to Roberson Museum and Science Center are tax deductible.

Funding for Roberson Museum and Science Center is provided in part by general operating support grants from the United Cultural Fund, a program of the Broome County Arts Council; The Conrad and Virginia Klee Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts.

Roberson has increased its presence on social media sites Facebook and Twitter. Find us for up to the minute updates and to keep an eye out for some exclusive online deals!

Sincerely,

Roberson Museum and Science Center