By Jessica Dillon
The Virginia Museum of Natural History hosted its annual gala on March 21, drawing more than 130 attendees for Starlington, an evening inspired by the Netflix series “Bridgerton.”
Guests arrived in Regency-era costumes for a night that featured drinks, heavy hors d’oeuvres, music, and a silent auction to benefit the museum. The event was sponsored by Dr. Mark and Rebecca Crabtree.
“From the moment people started walking in, I was just in awe of the way it was received,” said Victory and Events Manager Robbie Hendrix-Wirt. “I never thought that so many people would want the opportunity to go to Bridgerton.”
Attendees received drink wristlets and followed a path through the museum, with stops highlighting exhibits and programs. One tasting experience focused on natural poisons, blending education with the evening’s theme.
Dakota Fox Entertainment performed throughout the night, while Debbie’s Catering provided food alongside the museum’s Charlotte Harter. A coffee and tea bar near the dessert area offered an alternative to other beverages.
Throughout the evening, Hendrix-Wirt handed out small “diamonds” to select guests, adding a playful, interactive element to the event.
“I kept that in the little handbag I had,” he said. “Throughout the evening, I would walk around and determine who I thought should receive one.”
He used phrases such as “I will see you at nine o’clock” and “may the odds be ever in your favor” when presenting the tokens, sometimes placing them between guests before ultimately awarding them.
Guests who received diamonds shared brief stories, which Hendrix-Wirt used to craft a dramatic announcement at the end of the night, naming the “Diamond of the Season.”
There were several memorable moments. One guest asked the “queen” for a diamond, while another offered a pineapple from the food table in exchange. In the end, a guest dressed as a maid was selected.
“I found out there was a lady dressed as a maid, so I gave her one,” Hendrix-Wirt said.
“As we saw in season four of Bridgerton, the maid ended up becoming the diamond,” he added.
Many attendees went all out with their costumes, some of them handmade.
“There was one girl who made it from scratch. She and her mom patterned it and cut it out,” he said.
The museum was decorated with flowers throughout and even featured a bear and a sloth dressed in formal attire. Staff worked up until the start of the event to complete the setup.
“I was finishing up as people were starting to walk in,” Hendrix-Wirt said.
He said seeing guests enjoy themselves was the highlight of the evening.
“When people actually started dancing, that was probably my favorite moment of the night,” he said.
“I just want to thank everyone who came out to support the museum, to dress up, have fun, and almost be a kid again basically,” he added. “There’s so much going on in the world that it’s nice to take a moment and forget about it.”
The museum plans to host additional events throughout the year, including the Reptile Festival on April 24-25, Dino Fest, and Bones & Booz on Oct. 24. Planning is already underway for next year’s gala, which will incorporate several anniversaries.
