EcoBash raises over $56,000 from Tipp Donors
Dayton Society of Natural History EcoBash raises over $56,000 from Tipp City Donors
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery transformed into a scene straight from the Ice Age on Saturday, August 23, as supporters, community leaders, and curious minds gathered for the annual Eco Bash gala benefiting the Dayton Society of Natural History (DSNH), which includes the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery and Sunwatch Village. The event, renowned as one of Dayton’s premier fundraisers for science and discovery, raised vital funds to power the museum’s ambitious “A River Runs Through Us” $10.5 million capital campaign.
A Night of Elegance and Exploration
Guests arrived in black-tie optional attire to a temporary lobby reimagined with towering mastodon displays and Ice Age-inspired décor, embodying the theme for this year’s event: “Ice Age.” The evening featured a sit-down dinner, offering dishes like tenderloin beef brochette, salmon with lemon beurre blanc, and butternut squash ravioli. VIP guests also enjoyed a bourbon and cigar lounge in the Bieser Room of Wonders, rounding out an atmosphere of elegance and old-world wonder.
Tipp City Donors Donate Substantial Donations
A healthy contingent of Tipp City residents were in attendance, including Carli and Doug Amlin, Heather Bailey and Frank Scenna, Greg and Samantha Enslen, Diana and McKay Featherstone, Rusty Harden, Steve and Barb Hess, and Glen and Angie McMurry.
While the overall amount raised at the event has not yet been released, the Tipp City folks banded together and donated over $56,000 to the event, including table sponsorships, paddle raises and auction item wins. Local artist Rusty Harden also donated a large-format original painting of the Roger Presley Trail that was auctioned off. To learn more about the ongoing $10.5 million capital campaign and to make your own donation, visit the Boonshoft website at https://boonshoft.org/capitalcampaign/.
Highlights of the Celebration
Eco Bash isn’t just about gourmet dining and lively conversation—it’s also a night of hands-on discovery. Attendees mingled with live animal ambassadors, explored museum collections, and enjoyed immersive STEM educational experiences. A live auction following dinner presented the opportunity to bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences, items and naming rights, with all proceeds supporting DSNH’s mission to inspire through natural history, science, and discovery.
Supporting a Legacy of Discovery
Funds raised at this exclusive, limited-ticket event—$250 per ticket—will drive the next phase of the Boonshoft Museum’s dramatic transformation, including new exhibits that bring Dayton’s water story and the wonders of the natural world to life for visitors of all ages. As the DSNH stewards over 1.8 million objects and welcomes more than 265,000 guests annually, community support ensures the museum’s continued impact on science education and conservation in the region.
Sponsors and Community Impact
Eco Bash 2025 was made possible thanks to the backing of local sponsors such as McGohan Brabender, Levin Porter, Skynet Innovations, Taft Law, Wright State University, and Brixey & Meyer. This event capped off a successful summer season and drew attention to the vital role DSNH and the Boonshoft Museum play in Dayton’s cultural and educational landscape. This year’s Eco Bash once again proved itself as a highlight on the Miami Valley social calendar, blending celebration and philanthropy in support of lifelong learning and discovery.
