Upshur Museum to sponsor appraisal fair

As in years past, some lucky East Texans may strike it rich at the upcoming Historic Upshur Museum’s 10th Annual Appraisal Fair set for Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Gilmer’s Yamboree Exhibit Building adjacent to the Civic Center on U.S. Highway 271.
Patterned after the popular “Antiques Roadshow” on PBS, the fair will feature seven experts on antiques and collectibles, including firearms, furniture, glassware, jewelry, coins, currency, Civil War and historic Texas documents, gold, pottery, art and toys. Also showcased will be a variety of special displays, ranging from Civil War memorabilia and vintage jewelry to doll and pottery exhibits.
Admission is free. Cost of appraisals will be $10 per item or three items for $20.
Food and other refreshments will be available, and fair attendees can participate in a silent auction for numerous items provided by museum benefactors and board members.
Other fair highlights include exhibits of Civil War artifacts and Frozen Charlotte china dolls; a collection of antique marbles; pottery-making; crocheted necklaces; jewelry created from silverware, and a variety of Sebastian miniature figurines.
At the fair’s conclusion, certificates will be awarded for items that appraisers deem “Most Exceptional,” “Most Unusual,” “Oldest” and “Most Representative of Upshur County.”
Among the most interesting appraisal items of past fairs were rifles used in the American Revolution, a painting of a peregrine falcon worth $50,000, a “priceless” collection of Civil War letters, a scrap of paper signed by President Abraham Lincoln, and a sliver of bone from a saint who helped save a French city from destruction by Attila the Hun.
Fair proceeds will be used to aid the Historic Upshur Museum continue its work in preserving and promoting the heritage of Upshur County and East Texas.