Editor’s note: This is Part 5 of a 5-part series leading up to the Antiques Appraisal Fair on April 25.
The Champaign County Historical Museum’s new spring fundraiser, Antiques Appraisal Fair, will be held in the museum on Thursday, April 25, from 6 to 9 p.m. The event, patterned after the popular PBS series “Antiques Roadshow,” will be sponsored by the locally owned and operated Freshwater Farms of Ohio (fwfarms.com). All proceeds will benefit the museum, located at 809 East Lawn Ave., Urbana.
“We hope that this new fundraising event will be a success,” stated Rob Pollock, event chair. “The funds raised will help keep our museum open to the public.”
Jacob Berner
Five experienced appraisers will be positioned in locations throughout the museum to accommodate attendees by describing the history and estimated value of each item presented.
The fifth appraiser highlighted is Jacob Berner of Donnelsville. He has owned and operated Berner’s Auction Gallery since 1997 and auctions about 700 antique items each week. His specialties include fine art, jewelry, antiques and decor, but he has “seen it all.” He is well known in the antique world and looks forward to the Appraisal Fair and helping you learn what your prized possession is worth.
About the event
The price of admission is $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and includes one appraisal and a wine and cheese “bistro” provided by Freshwater Farms so that folks can socialize during the event and tour the museum rather than simply wait in line. Regarding the “show” component, an appraiser will be announced at five times throughout the evening; he will then present a special item to those gathered in the main meeting room.
Tickets may be purchased at local banks – Civista, First Central National, Peoples, Perpetual, all county Security locations – and on line at www.champaigncountyhistoricalmuseum.org. In addition to benefiting the museum and preserving its artifacts, this will be a fun event for people of all ages and hopefully one that will build from year to year. This is an excellent opportunity to have a family heirloom, an item from the attic, or perhaps something found when spring cleaning to be evaluated.
