Riedel Foundation awards matching grant for Mark Twain Home’s Spirits and Sarcasm fundraiser

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Riedel Foundation has awarded an $8,000 matching grant to help update exhibits at the Mark Twain Home properties in Hannibal. The plan is to enhance the visitor experience by adding more interactive elements that patrons now expect in museums.

“Hannibal is so fortunate to have the George H. Riedel Foundation,” Megan Rapp, executive director of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, said in a press release. “Mr. Riedel’s love of Hannibal, including Mark Twain and his legacy, allows us to continue to improve the museum visitor experience. The museum receives no local, state or federal tax dollars.  Grants like this are vital in continuing our mission to demonstrate the relevance of Mark Twain’s stories and ideas to the world.”

The grant will match up to $8,000 in proceeds from the third annual Spirits and Sarcasm fundraiser to benefit the museum properties. Combining Mark Twain’s love of whiskey and his sarcastic sense of humor, Spirits and Sarcasm will include a formal bourbon tasting presented by Dave Otto of Spirit Drinkers of St. Louis. Otto, a self-anointed bourbon expert, will explain the nuances of each of the five tastings featured that night. Cigars that pair with bourbons will be available for purchase.

The event is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 at the Hannibal Country Club. Tickets are $65 per person. The evening includes music, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, five educational tastings and a live auction. In addition, 13 to 15 specialty and rare bottles of bourbon will be auctioned off, as well as a selection of rare cigars.