It is time again for the Northeast Georgia History Center’s Antiques Show and Estate Sale, and this year’s promises to be bigger and better than in years past.
This week, Anne Chenault, co-chairwoman of the event and a board member for the Northeast Georgia History Center, has been getting the center ready for the three-day fundraising event that will feature locally donated items and pieces from different antique dealers in the region.
Chenault seems pleased with all the items that will be for sale this week.
"Everything is of very good quality," Chenault said. "I can go on and on about some of our featured items."
On Thursday, there will be a two-hour preview party, complete with music and food, where patrons can make a reservation and pay $25 to get a sneak peak at the treasures that will be sold on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday and Saturday, the antique dealers will have their items for sale, and the donated items, some of which are not antiques, will be sold from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Chenault said there is more variety in this year’s sale items than in years past.
From art pieces to American Brilliant period cut glass to American, English and French country furniture, antique seekers will have a plethora of pieces to peruse.
"We just have a variety of things," Chenault said.
Even the bargain shopper will have a chance to find something, Chenault said. There are less expensive items for sale, such as coffee tables and end tables from the 1960s.
For two hours on Saturday, people will have the chance to see what their own pieces are worth. Richard Williams, a certified appraiser, will do "Antiques Roadshow" type appraisals for $15 a piece. People can bring their items in from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and have them appraised.However, Williams will not appraise coins, stamps or jewelry, Chenault said.
Seven different antiques dealers from across Georgia and one from Florida will be selling their items at this weekend’s fundraiser, and it costs non-members $5 to see what they have, Chenault said.
Even if antique seekers do not find the piece they are looking for at the history center show, they can still consider their $5 well-spent. The entry fee also pays for the chance to view the history center’s museum galleries.
"Mark it as a donation to the history center," Chenault said.
This is the third year the history center has hosted the antiques show and estate sale to raise money. In previous years, there have not been as many dealers as this year’s show, and Chenault said she hopes to keep expanding the annual sale.
"We want to make it into a successful fundraiser for the history center," she said. "Each year we hope to make it a little larger ... a little better."
Schoolchildren from about 20 different schools visit the Northeast Georgia History Center annually, and the center holds forums for adults once a month. Proceeds from the sale will help the history center continue to provide these services, Chenault said.
"All proceeds go to underwrite our mission, which is to preserve our heritage and to help educate both adults and children as to our unique history in the Northeast Georgia area."