Aug. 16 — One person's junk is another's treasure

Antique yard sale has something for everyone with crafts and hidden treasures

Chris Albert / of the Herald

Those looking for an old figurine, classic highway road sign or a swiss chest only needed to stop by Meeker Mansion to find one.

The grounds at Meeker Mansion had trinkets galore Saturday, Aug. 11, at the All American Antique Yard Sale.

“It’s like a giant yard sale,” said Bob Minnich, an Ezra Meeker Historical Society board member.

Every year, vendors show up to sell crafts they make themselves like candles and blankets or items like old books, movies, cabinets and relics that had been collecting dust, but can be a great find for the would-be antiquer.

“You see a lot of people walk away with stuff, so that’s nice. The mansion’s full, too. That’s just whip cream on top,” said Mansion Director Dan Stats, about people also touring the mansion.

Some vendors leave with as much as they came with, trading or buying other vendor’s goods.

“I’ve seen people show up with a truck load of stuff and leave with a truck load of stuff,” said Andy Anderson, Meeker Society board member and historian. “They just trade all day.”

This was the 14th year of the summer yard sale and attracted about 300 people to the mansion grounds throughout the day, Stats said.

There were 50 vendors on hand this year and a professional antique appraiser for those wondering if their heirlooms in the attic were worth anything.

“Sometimes you’d be surprised what some people might think this junk is worth,” Stats said.

Minnich recalled how a family member with a background in microbiology made his way to the yard sale and found a book signed by two Nobel Prize winners.

“There’s clearly something here for everybody,” Anderson said.

As a former docent at the mansion, Karl J. Ickes has spent more than 20 years steeped in history.

“It’s (history) a natural curiosity since I was young,” Ickes said.

He has been part of more than 20 archeological digs throughout the world, but still makes his way to the mansion to sell a collection of goods every year.

“Every year I’ve done really well,” Ickes said, with making enough money from selling little treasures he’s found and collected.

Besides being a fundraiser for the mansion, the event gives people another reason to visit the mansion and learn about the history of the area.

“A lot of people who live in the area always intended to get down here, but haven’t made it,” Minnich said.

Often they find when residents have family from out of town visiting, they finally make their way to the mansion, he said.

“I get that all the time,” Stats said.

Events like a yard sale are another way of giving people a reason for visiting.

The Ezra Meeker History Society was founded in 1970 to preserve the mansion and its place in the history of the Puyallup valley and Oregon trail.

The Antique Yard Sale is a way not only to raise money for the non-profit’s mission of preserving history, but also a way to encourage the community to come out and enjoy it.

“I just try to utilize the grounds as much as possible,” Stats said.

More people have been coming to the mansion and tours are up this year, he said.

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upcoming meeker mansion events

> Pyschic Fair Sept. 15: Fifteen psychics will be on hand to answer questions. Admission is $5.

> Country Crafters Holiday Boutique Oct. 3-7: There will be a huge selection of handcrafted gifts, decorations and more fun 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $3 or $2 with a canned food donation.

> Cider Squeeze Oct. 13: People are invited to make cider at the mansion’s apple squeeze. Pumpkins, seasonal farmers market and vendors will also be at the event. It is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meeker Mansion is open from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and students and $2 for children.

For more information call 253-848-1770 or visit www.meekermansion.org.