A dreary Sunday brought a welcome spot of sunshine to the Phillips House Museum last weekend, as residents gathered for the annual Appraisal Day and brought more than 100 items to be evaluated by a team of experienced appraisers.
The event, held Sept. 27, featured Phil, Jordan and Matthew Weiss, who appear on PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow.” Residents brought personal treasures ranging from collectibles and artwork to historical items, hoping to learn more about their origins and potential value.
For the first time, the Rockville Centre Historical Society held Appraisal Day indoors, a decision that co-president and trustee Debbie Fehringer said worked out better than expected.
“It worked out beautifully,” Fehringer said. “Holding the event indoors was the first time we’ve ever done that. But it really was beneficial in more ways than we could have imagined.”
More than 100 items were appraised throughout the afternoon. While Fehringer said there were no items of particularly high monetary value, the appraisers highlighted several pieces that caught their attention.
Among them was a collection of U.S. and foreign stamps that the appraisers considered to be in excellent condition. Another was a Civil War-era ring that was evaluated for its historical significance rather than as jewelry, since jewelry is not accepted for appraisal.
Fehringer said the ring was believed to have been associated with the 102nd Infantry during the Civil War.
Another unusual item was an early photograph of the Beatles that did not include Ringo Starr. While the items were not necessarily highly valuable, Fehringer said residents learned about potential options for what they could do with their belongings after receiving an appraisal.
The appraisers could provide information about potential auction opportunities for residents interested in selling their items.
For Fehringer, however, the value of the event went beyond the objects brought through the museum doors.
“I love mixing with the people who come in and learning why they think their item might have some value and just meeting people and chatting,” she said.
The weekend’s other planned event, Neighbors at the Museum, was postponed on Saturday because of the nor’easter. The Historical Society is working to determine a new date for the event.
