Digging up Treasure at the Treasure Sale

Digging up Treasure at the TREASURE SALE

(Above) Shoppers gather in Washington County Museum of Fine Arts atrium for the Treasure Sale. After being online for two years, the Treasure Sale returns to in-person in the atrium this year. (Right) Singer Society volunteers Lola Mosby, left, and Joan Selby sort through jewelry donations.

Written by CRYSTAL SCHELLE

I have always loved a good flea market, antique shop, tag sale, or even yard sale. Something is exciting about rescuing an item that has been tossed aside and giving it a new home.

But none of those can compare to the Treasure Sale, a fundraiser for the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. Community members donate high-quality items that are then resold over four days in November. Monies raised go back into helping the museum continue with its mission of making art accessible to everyone.

The first time I attended the Treasure Sale at the Washington County Museum, I lived across Virginia Avenue at Moller Apartments. I had written stories for the newspaper about the event but never had the chance to go. It was a beautiful November day, and I thought I’d stroll over to the park and see what was there. It’s not that far of a walk, and I figured I could easily carry a few bags back to my third-floor walk-up apartment without any problems.

What: Treasure Sale When: Nov. 4-6, Nov. 8 Where: Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown Cost: Ticketed preview reception $30: Friday, Nov. 4, 5 to 8 p.m. Free admission for the following days: Saturday, Nov. 5., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 6, 1 to 3 p.m. (fill a bag for $25), and Tuesday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to 1 pm. (fill a bag for $15). Contact: To register for the Friday event, call Donna Rastelli at 301-739-5727 or drastelli@wcmfa.org.

When I got there, a high-back chair immediately caught my eye. The cushion and back were covered in burnt orange velvet with wooden arms. It leaned more ‘70s, but I loved it. I looked at the clock and realized I didn’t have time to return to my apartment to get my car. I sat in the chair again, feeling the cushiony velvet against my back. At that moment, it didn’t matter that I would have to schlep the chair the whole way around the large lake, across the busy road, and up three flights of stairs — it would be worth it.

By the time I got the chair into my apartment, I was sweating. I wiped my brow and found a perfect spot beside the balcony doors. My two cats quickly christened the chair for naps. After that first purchase, I was hooked on the Treasure Sale.

The following year, I asked my sisters to go with me. The Treasure Sale has since been a family tradition. We’ve snagged a little bit of everything — Christmas ornaments both modern and vintage, glassware, a fondue set, a Cuisinart ice cream maker, handmade pottery, artwork, and, of course, furniture.

Our personal plans for the Treasure Sale will be different this year, as I’ll be on the other side of the aisle, so to speak, and be totally envious of those early-bird pickers.

This year the Treasure Sale returns in-person at the museum (after two years online). Friday’s ticketed preview event from 5 to 8 p.m. lets patrons get a sneak peek at the Treasure Sale’s offerings. With a $30 admission fee, shoppers pay for the opportunity to purchase items early, before doors open to the general public. Those wanting to attend the Friday event must register by contacting Donna Rastelli at 301-739-5727 or drastelli@ wcmfa.org.

For the next three days, admission is free: Saturday, Nov. 5., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 6, 1 to 3 p.m., patrons can fill a bag for $25; and Tuesday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. where for $15 shoppers fill a bag.

The days when shoppers can fill bags are probably the most fun because people get pretty creative on how many items they can stuff in the provided bag. Two large frames, two mugs, a game and two ornaments? Sure, no problem!

The Singer Society, a group of museum volunteers, has spent months preparing for the Treasure Sale. They have been working out of a former storefront in the North End of Hagerstown. For months, they painstakingly unbox, clean, research, organize and assign prices to the items before photographing a special few and then moving all those items to the museum.

When I visited their satellite site this summer, they weren’t even halfway through the process. When I walked in, I admit it gave me a little bit of anxiety because it felt so overwhelming. There were boxes stacked everywhere filled with treasures that still needed to be unpacked, tabletops were covered with items that needed to be priced or needed further research, also the large pieces of furniture and framed artwork stacked lined two of the walls.

I could see their progress as empty boxes were stacked to one side, but I also could see the many boxes that still had items in them — and that didn’t even include the donations still coming in. The Singers do so much to help us continue our mission, and at that moment I was never so thankful for their hard work and dedication.

Some of the items they had uncovered were interesting, such as a purse in the shape of a dog, a replica Titanic poster, a grandfather clock and glittering heaps of jewelry.

Those of you who are on the search for a good bargain, make a point to join us for the Treasure Sale. If you’re on Instagram, tag the museum @wcmfa and use the hashtag #HagerstownTreasureSale to let us see what you’ve discovered!

Crystal Schelle is director of marketing and communications for the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. Go to www.wcmfa. org for more information.