Capitol hosts wine-tasting fundraiser

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) - Historic preservationists are hoping that a wine-tasting event in the Missouri House chamber can help determine what it would take to refurbish artwork in the Capitol.

Organizers were hoping to make $35,000 to $40,000 from the Monday evening fundraiser hosted by the Missouri State Capitol Commission. Tickets cost $500 a piece.

The desks where lawmakers normally cast votes were transformed into wine-tasting stations for the fundraiser. The House speaker's office also was being used.

Dana Rademan Miller is chairwoman of the Capitol Commission and also the assistant chief clerk for the House. She said the fundraiser will help pay for an art expert to inspect the murals and paintings in the Capitol and come up with an estimate of how much it would cost to restore them.