While rain poured down in other parts of Lincoln County, the grounds of the Pownalborough Court House remained dry for Lincoln County Historical Association’s (LCHA’s) annual fundraiser on Sept. 18. But there was more good news for the party planners. Lively bidding during the after-dinner auction had already ensured that the organization would meet its goal for the event when one of the guests made a surprise announcement that changed the course of the evening.

At the completion of his very successful auction of cakes and experiential items, auctioneer Kaja Veilleux of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries began the introduction of a pledge round to kick off LCHA’s fundraising campaign to paint the exterior of the Pownalborough Court House. At that moment, one of the guests, Paul Schacknow, announced a matching challenge. He said that he and his wife Sharma would donate $5,000 toward the campaign if the rest of the guests would match it right there and then.

“It was an incredible surprise when Paul stood up and announced his matching challenge,” said LCHA’s executive director, Shannon Gilmore. “It energized the crowd to immediately get behind a crucial project that will ensure the proper care of our irreplaceable treasure, the Pownalborough Court House.”

Pledges of an additional $5,250 from the other guests meant that the organization was able to achieve the goal of its brand new fundraising campaign all at once. In a message to the Board of Trustees, Gilmore expressed her delight that this news would allow her more time to work on grant applications and other mission-related activities.

Lincoln County Historical Association is a non-profit organization that provides stewardship for the 1754 Chapman-Hall House in Damariscotta, the 1761 Pownalborough Court House in Dresden, and the 1811 Old Jail and Museum in Wiscasset.  For more information, please visit www.lincolncountyhistory.org, Facebook at Lincoln County Historical Association (Maine) or Pownalborough Court House Museum.