MONT VERNON – In celebrating the 25th Mont Vernon Spring Gala on May 19, there will be a silent auction of eight chairs that are copies of a chair that once sat on the veranda of The Grand Hotel (1891-1929) in Mont Vernon.

Local woodworker and owner of Furniture That Fits Carolyn Dorr-Rich proposed making copies of the chair and auctioning them as a fundraiser. She donated her time, materials, and labor. She contacted members of the Mont Vernon Artisans about decorating four of the chairs with scenes related to the era of the times. Artisans Roxanne O’Brien, Susanna Ries, Michael Warren, Michelle Kolb, Karen Mitchell, and Suzanne Will participated. The other four chairs are plain. The chairs will be on display on the Town Green from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. where the auction will be held. Beginning bids start at $150. (Value of each chair is $490.) The highest bidders will be announced as the day winds down. The proceeds will be divided equally between the Mont Vernon Historical Society and the Daland Memorial Library. The original chair may be seen in the Mont Vernon Historical Museum on the second floor of the Town Hall which will be open on Spring Gala Day from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. It was donated by former long time town resident Roberta Wilkins.