A special gala was held at Memorial Hall to commemorate Henry McIlhenny's 75th birthday on October 7, 1985. A documentary of Henry McIlhenny's life in the art world, produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation, was shown to the guests. The records include a program that highlights Mr. McIlhenny's life and his involvement with the Museum. The funds raised from the event were used to endow the Henry P. McIlhenny Curatorship of European Decorative Arts at the Museum.