The Ravalli County Museum and Historical Society are hosting an Antiques and Collectibles Sale on Saturday, Oct. 16.
In 2019, it was an auction, the next year it was canceled due to COVID and it has changed again.
“It is a fixed price sale meaning everything will have a price tag on it,” said organizer David Bethman. “Come on public, come in and buy. None of the items are in the museum’s collection. It is all donated items specifically donated for the sale to benefit our programs here.”
The collection of items are impressive and could be an exhibit. There is everything from silver Morgan dollars, insulators and bottles, Montana ephemera, western trade tokens, Rankin political signs and some furniture like a 1950s dental cabinet, a chrome dining table and a beautiful solid maple bedroom set.
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There are crocks, dairy items, crates, carriers, antique fruit jars, Idaho mining stock certificates, uncirculated silver, spice tines, books, fine china, glass wear, a typesetter’s box, a working Johnson boat motor, U.S. proof sets and items with ties to the Bitterroot Valley.
“It’s almost good enough to be a collectibles museum,” Bethman said. “We have items from the soda fountain at Downing’s Pharmacy. A lot of the medicine bottles are from Bitterroot Drug and Downing’s Pharmacy. The original label shows ‘worm seed.’”
The proceeds benefit the Ravalli County Museum and Historical Society with no restrictions as to their use.
“These funds can be used on education programs for children and can even be staff salary,” Bethman said. “Grants say, ‘you must use this for new lighting’ or ‘a new handicap ramp’ but this is for anything needed for the museum. Come on down, grab some history and a lot of just good collectibles.”
Museum Executive Director Michelle Newling said the sale will be great.
“BRVHS board member David Bethman has been working all year to gather some fantastic antiques and collectibles for this sale,” she said. “It will be displayed in the museum’s courtroom.”
The Antiques and Collectibles Sale will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Ravalli County Museum, 205 Bedford St., Hamilton.
The Ravalli County Museum upcoming events include the Veterans Day event at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, presented by American Legion Post #47. Opening on Veterans Day is the museum’s annual Gallery of Trees, which will be on display until they are auctioned off on Saturday, Dec. 4.