Vintage clocks, radios, fine china, artwork, furniture and military items are some of the things going on the auction block tonight at the Bristol Historical Society Museum.
Steve Vastola, co-president of the Bristol Historical Society, said the annual auction is an important fundraiser – and should be a lot of fun.
"There's all kinds of vintage collectables, antiques," said Vastola.
Vastola said the auction begins at 6 p.m. at the Bristol Historical Society Museum on Summer Street and will run until 9:30 or 10 p.m.
Last year, the society held its first auction and raised $6,000, said Vastola.
This time, the event, billed as "The Evening on the Hill," should bring in even more, Vastola hopes.
The money raised will help pay to heat the building this year, and to help pay off the debts from improvements to the building, the old Bristol High School.
"Outside of the grants, it is one of our biggest fundraisers," said Vastola.
There is a new heating system in the building, and sprinklers on every floor, and a ramp to provide handicapped access, said Vastola. He said the society took on some debt to make the building better.
Already, 50 tickets to the event have been sold, said Vastola, but he said there is room for 120 people and he wants to fill the place.
Admission is $12 per person and includes the auction, catered hors d'oeuvres and wine or soft drinks, said Vastola. He said the food is coming from Nuchies and members of the Bristol Historical Society.
"If people come in here, eat some food and don't buy anything, they could still walk away very happy," said Vastola.
"It's a special day," said Bob Montgomery, the city historian and Vastola's co-president.
Montgomery, who said Vastola did "a great job" organizing the event, said the society needs the money to cover expenses.
With high heating bills on the horizon, "we're hurtin'," said Montgomery.
The event will begin with a silent auction, said Vastola. He said those items are mostly baskets and goods and services from local vendors.
The winners of those auctions will be announced at 7 p.m., he said, and at 7:15 p.m., the live auction will begin with auctioneer Paul Stansel.
Among the items to be auctioned off are "lots of artwork," said Vastola, including things from the Military Museum.
"We have a painting from the Civil War," said Vastola, and a painting of an unknown Spanish American War veteran.
In addition, there is a "beautiful statue" of butterflies that Vastola said may be from the 1900 World's Fair in Paris.
Beyond artwork, there are plenty of other items, as Vastola said there are 100 to 120 auction lots to sell, including a seven-course dinner prepared by some of the members of the society.
"We try to keep it first class. We won't put junk into the auction," said Montgomery.
"We have a vintage three-wheel bicycle," said Vastola, as well as antique wooden skis and toys and a 1907 book on Bristol history.
"There's going to be something for everybody," said Vastola.
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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
5 comments:
Thank you for letting people know about this nice event. It will be even better if I don't have to see a cheap-shot-taking Republican basher like you there Steve.
Just kidding Steve. If you're there I'll buy you a whiskey.
This is boring! How come Steve gets all the juicy stories?
Just came back from this event. What a fun night. I can not wait until they do it agin next year. I sure got some great deals!!!
But where was Bob Montgomery?
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