Size up antiques, other treasures at appraisal fair at McMinn County Living Heritage Museum in Athens

IF YOU GO* What: Appraisal fair.* When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 3.* Where: McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, 522 W. Madison Ave., Athens, Tenn.* Cost: $10 each item for nonmembers, $5 each item for members.* Phone: 423-745-0329.* Website: www.livingheritagemuseum.com.

McMinn County Living Heritage Museum in Athens, Tenn., will host an "Antiques Roadshow"-style appraisal fair Saturday, May 3.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors may bring in their family treasures to discuss each item's history and value with a licensed appraiser from Case Antiques in Knoxville.

Owner John Case's overarching interest is Southern art and antiques, according to a news release. Several Case Antiques appraisers will be on hand to also evaluate jewelry, silver and porcelain. The company also has expertise in objects as varied as furniture, pottery, Chinese jade, signed Beatles albums, samplers and quilts.

Some of Case's recent discoveries include a piece of pottery worth $30,000 and a sword belonging to Andrew Jackson appraised between $75,000 and $125,000. He acknowledges that owners can do their own Internet searches to look for the market value of a prized object, which can take away some of the mystery of what he does, but he notes that appraisers have access to special databases and insider input not available to the general public.

The cost is $10 for the appraisal of each item or $5 for the appraisal of each item with a museum membership, which may be purchased at the door. Annual memberships are $45 per family, $25 for a single individual, $15 for seniors. Memberships sustain the Museum's community outreach programming.

Visitors may bring as many items as they wish, but those planning to bring five or more should notify the museum in advance. Guests with heavy or bulky items also should contact the museum for additional instructions. Call Mary Alton at 423-745-0329 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. today, May 1, or email her at malton@livingheritagemuseum.com.

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