The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Historical society to hold antiques show
Event a major fund-raiser for Saline organization
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: January 17, 2008
Marian Youngs of Saline is busy this week polishing silver, ironing linens and washing and sorting china. No, she's not having house guests this weekend. In fact, she won't even be home.
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Youngs is among 50 dealers bringing their treasures Saturday to the 21st annual Saline Area Historical Society Antiques Show at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds.
The one-day show, in two heated buildings, is the annual fund-raiser for the historical society, which runs two museums in Saline, oversees the historic Weber-Blaess one-room schoolhouse and hosts a number of tours, talks and programs for residents and visitors throughout the year.
"It's a wonderful show where everyone is friendly and happy to see one another during the winter months," said Youngs, who closed her own antique shop a few years ago and has been coming to the Saline show every year since it began in 1987. "It's exciting to see old friends and bring out my collection."
Youngs will bring her collection of dolls and doll clothing from the early 1900s, vintage postcards and games, dishes, linens and silver.
"One outstanding item I have is a second hand from a large, outdoor clock painted with unique folk art patterns. It's a show-stopper," she said.
Janet Swope is one of the show's organizers, though gives much of the credit to her committee of 30 volunteers.
"This is a huge effort and we have lots of people from Saline helping," she said.
Saline High School history teacher and local historian Jim Cameron is bringing students to help. The Saline-area Girl Scouts will again sell homemade pies and refreshments to benefit Scouting programs.
"It's a great community effort," said Swope, who took the reins of the planning committee 10 years ago from her daughter, Joy Ely, who organized the first show for the historical society at Union School, later moving it to Saline Middle School. Ely owns Pineapple House in downtown Saline and is very active in the Downtown Merchants' Association.
Swope will bring her own collection of linens, silver and children's items to the fairgrounds Saturday, found treasures from her and Ely's annual trips to Madison County, N.Y.; Burton, Ohio; and other antique shows on the East Coast.
Fritz Scott has been selling his antique duck and fish decoys at the Saline show for years. Though he retired and moved up north, Scott has returned to his hometown for the show to see old friends and buy, sell and trade duck and fish decoys and antique fishing tackle.
Scott's son, Jack, still lives in Saline and helps his father with the collection, ranging in sales price from $50 to $2,000.
"Decoys by the more well-known carvers fetch the higher prices," Fritz Scott said. "Michigan was an unbelievable place in the 1920s, when the state was the biggest producer of hand-carved wooden duck decoys. Also, some of the best fish decoys -- used for spearing -- were made here since Michigan was one of only five states where spear fishing was legal.
"I'm always happy to get back to the Saline show."
The Saline Area Historical Society will have its own booth with select pieces, including music, dishes, books, furniture and a European spinning wheel. These are pieces that are either multiples or donations that don't fit the museum criteria.
The show is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, where free parking is available. Admission is $3.
For more information, call 944-0713 or visit www.salinehistory.org for a complete list of dealers.
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