Auctions, flea markets to raise money for Ag Museum March 21 in Dover
What do two four-day passes to Firefly Music Festival, a brand-new Wolfgang Puck pressure oven, a quarter sawn mission style oak stand, three swords, silver flatware, Foltz and Jeff White pottery, a white wicker bassinet, a Kevin Fleming photograph, Helosate Plus herbicide, a Precious Moments Collection and lots of vintage teapots have in common? They are all items up for auction at the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village when its doors open at 8 a.m., Saturday, March 21.
In addition to the live auction, the day will include silent auctions, flea markets, books sales and bake sales. "Green Gavel Auction is honored to be part of such a worthwhile community event. The DAMV is a hidden gem, and the work they do is instrumental to the preservation of our state's agricultural history. The Ag Museum's annual public auction is the perfect venue to reunite old friends and introduce newcomers to the museum. They have something for everyone,” said this year's auctioneer Ben Twilley of the Hartley area.
Museum Director Di Rafter said, “We started putting pictures of auction items on AuctionZip.com last year and will continue that new tradition this year. We are also going to utilize Craigslist to try to get more bidders. The easiest way to find us on AuctionZip is to type 'Green Gavel' in the keyword field. Then click on March 21, and there you will see a nice variety of things we will have at this year’s auction. Keep in mind that this is only a portion of what will be here the day of the auction."
A privately funded museum, the DAMV continues to face challenges but has not stopped offering its unique educational programming like Barter & Trade, Village Life and Then & Now. The museum still offers the facility for weddings, parties and fundraising events for other charities.
The Ag Museum offers an easy way for folks to clear out their clutter through donations. Items can be accepted through drop-off at the museum opposite Home Depot on Route 13 in Dover. Support to unload donated items is available, and arrangements can be made for donations to be picked up. “We start taking donations for next year’s auction the day before our current auction. We have a storage unit dedicated to auction items so it’s never too late to donate,” said Rafter.
Besides the live auction, the silent auction has typically offered things such as celebrity-autographed items, tickets to kid-friendly events, golf outings, pet care items, car washes, gift cards, gift baskets, collectors’ cars and tractors, and more. Among the silent auction items this year is a Pandora bracelet with a horseshoe charm from Bel Boutique on Loockerman Street in Dover.
The indoor flea market in the climate-controlled, spacious facility is another popular event. Items such as jewelry, frames and prints, seasonal items, lawn and garden goods, kitchen wares, pots and pans, fabric, and more are organized in sections by volunteers.
Near the end of the event, flea market items are sometimes sold in box or bag lots at mega-bargain rates, often $1-$5 per lot. Visitors of all ages can see auctions in progress and the many historic structures of the village Loockerman Landing.There will be a quilt show on exhibit and artifacts in the galleries.
Richard Bergold, board of trustees president, and his wife Jo Bergold are both active at DAMV. He helps with many aspects of the auction while her specialty is the flea market. “I hope farmers come out to the event and support the museum that is here to preserve their heritage,” said Bergold.
Doors open at 8 a.m., and the event will occur rain or shine, lasting until items are gone. There is always plenty of indoor space. Food items and drinks are available for purchase. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted.
To make donations of items to the auction, call 302-734-1618 or deliver them to 866 N. DuPont Highway opposite Home Depot and adjacent to Delaware State University.
