The Cabot Pueblo Museum in Desert Hot Springs turned 100 with an anniversary celebration party on June 1st. Several hundred people came to this “An Evening at the Pueblo” party with a cocktail reception on the museum grounds and a buffet supper on the higher elevation grounds by the huge towering sculpture of an Indian Head in the background.
The guests stopped at the entrance to have their photo taken with Romeo the burro and a goat with gold horns. Each person got an immediate photo of the event. Guests enjoyed comparing their photos with others. The cocktail hour was a chance to meet friends and tour the museum and maybe buy a trinket or two to remember the event. It was a warm evening to start so water and cool refreshments were served.
The Buffet Dinner consisted of native foods, beef, chicken and tofu, mexican corn, cooked vegetables, cabbage slaw and assorted corn breads. Water and wine on each table and desserts were served on a plate for each table. A country band played as guests ate.
There was a live auction of some major paintings and art works. A surprise auction by the local police department sold a Ride-Along with two different officers and another item was Donna McMilla’s offered to create a meal for 16 people at her home that was auctioned off to a highest bid.
Speakers spoke about the Museum, The start and continuation of this fabulous museum and its artifacts. This fundraiser is to raise monies to preserve the museum buildings and save the old museum pieces and photographs for generations to come. They praised the Cabot Yerxa family for their continued support who came in force with grandchildren,great grandchildren and Great-Great grandchildren celebrate this momentous occasion.
The evening highlight was the honoring of 3 people. Philanthropist John Furbee was awarded the Cabot Yerxa Community Leadership Award. Museum Foundation Historian Judy Gigante was recognized with the Gordon Gribble Volunteer Award. The Final Award of the night was the Portia Yerxa Philanthropy and Cultural Heritage Award. The honor went to World-renowned photographer Michael Childers. Childers accomplishments also include producing the “One Night Only” concerts that has raised over 2.5 million dollars for Jewish Family Service of the Desert. Childers has won many awards in his career and is involved with many charities in the Valley. His photographs are known all over the world.
