FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2008
Contact: Molly Dannenmaier, 409-765-7834
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
molly.dannenmaier@galvestonhistory.org

Photographs available upon request

Galveston Historical Foundation's Annual Antique Treasures Sale to be Held at 1861 Custom House Saturday, June 28

Preview Party and Sale, Friday Evening, June 27

A wide array of antiques, furniture and home accessories will be available for sale at Galveston Historical Foundation’s (GHF)’s annual sale of donated items, newly renamed the “Antique Treasures Sale,” at the 1861 U. S. Custom House, GHF Headquarters, at 502 20th Street, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 27 and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 28.

GHF asks community members to donate their no-longer-needed treasures for the sale, held to benefit the 1839 Samuel May Williams House, the first property GHF bought and restored in 1954. Pick-up of donated items is available upon request.

The Saturday event is free and open to the public, but early-birds may attend the Preview Party and Sale the previous evening, Friday, June 27. GHF members only may shop from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and the general public is invited to join them from 6:30 to 7:30. Admission to the preview is $13 for GHF members and $15 for nonmembers. Memberships may be purchased at the door.

“This is a year of great change for the historic Samuel May Williams House, which has been the beneficiary of GHF’s annual sale for many years,” said Dwayne Jones, GHF executive director. “With the help of designers from the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers, the house has been beautifully converted from an underused house museum to a livable, comfortable single-family home. The sale, which most recently was called ‘Genteel Junque,’ is changing, too.”

The sale will emphasize high-quality antiques, furniture and art in good condition.

“There’s a great collection of items beginning to fill the Custom House already,” said Beth Shriner, director of historic properties at GHF. “We’ll have buffets, chairs, antique rockers, silver and sofas for sale. We have a seven-piece Eastlake parlor suite of burled walnut and a large, multi-drawered chest. Not everything is an antique, though: there’s a large set of Knoll executive office furniture that’s quite handsome. We have a canoe for sale, and donations are still coming in.”

Most of the furniture donations come from GHF members themselves, says Shriner, although anyone can donate and receive a donation form for tax purposes. “Usually we have 300 to 400 people come, and last year we netted about $15,000, which was truly a banner year for us,” she said.

To inquire about making a donation to the Antique Treasures Sale, or to make a reservation for the Preview Event, call 409-762-3933.