Museum Gala 2026

 The Albany Institute of History & Art’s signature fundraising event, Museum Gala 2026, will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 6–10PM at Forts Ferry Farm in Latham, New York.  Guests will enjoy a strolling cocktail hour with sumptuous appetizer stations, a seated dinner amid the farm’s beautiful gardens and open fields, musical interludes, a spirited live auction courtesy of Sotheby’s, and dancing under the stars.

This year's event celebrates the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. America 250 commemorations will be held all across the United States, presenting rich and diverse perspectives on this monumental milestone that marked the beginning of the American experiment. As part of this celebration, the Albany Institute will present Albany, c. 1776, an exhibition opening this fall that will illustrate Albany’s place in this history, both political and social. 

The Museum Gala Silent Auction and Live Auction are important elements of this event, which will be an unforgettable evening of celebration, culture, and community. We encourage you to explore this unique selection of items, and remember—every bid you place directly supports the Albany Institute’s exhibitions, programs, and educational initiatives. 

Founded in 1791, the Albany Institute of History & Art is New York’s oldest museum. Its collections document the Hudson Valley as a crossroads of culture, influencing the art and history of the region, the state, and the nation. With more than 25,000 objects in the collection and one million documents in the research library, it is an important resource for the region, giving a sense of the part the Hudson Valley played in the American story. Permanent exhibitions include one of the largest collections of Hudson River School paintings, a history of Ancient Egypt, and other fine art, ceramics, and furniture, along with temporary exhibitions that change three times per year.

 The Museum Gala Live Auction will take place in person during the event on Saturday evening, June 13, at 8:15pm.

If you are not attending the Gala and wish to bid by proxy, please contact Christine Dollard, dollardc@albanyinstitute.org to coordinate arrangements.