Washington County Museum of Fine Arts Treasure Sale set for November

Crystal Schelle
·3 min read

It’s amazing what people collect over the years.

While on vacation they discover a beautiful vase, they cherish it, and then they make space and give it away. Then a little time later, that vase is rediscovered, sitting alone on a shelf before it gets scooped up again for a new home.

That’s the circle of life at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts’ fundraiser, the Treasure Sale. Held the first week of November, this “upscale yard sale” is just that — pieces that belonged to another person and was preserved long enough to be passed on for someone else to love it.

Shoppers check out what's on sale during the 2022 Treasure Sale at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. This year's sale is set for Nov. 3, 4, 5 and 7, at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive in Hagerstown.
Shoppers check out what's on sale during the 2022 Treasure Sale at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. This year's sale is set for Nov. 3, 4, 5 and 7, at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive in Hagerstown.

Organized and hosted by the Singer Society, the museum’s volunteer organization, the Treasure Sale offers shoppers a chance to find their own treasures from the variety of items for sale, including furniture, artwork, collectibles, glassware, jewelry and more. This year’s dates are Nov. 3, 4, 5 and 7, at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive in Hagerstown.

Every year I have walked through the Treasure Sale as a customer and later behind the scenes, and wonder why I haven’t seen the same thing twice. And that’s exactly what I like about the sale. No only does it raise money for the museum, but it also there are a variety of items from which to choose.

One of the seven kiddie chairs that will be on sale at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts’ annual Treasure Sale fundraiser, set for Nov. 3, 4, 5 and 7, at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive in Hagerstown.
One of the seven kiddie chairs that will be on sale at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts’ annual Treasure Sale fundraiser, set for Nov. 3, 4, 5 and 7, at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive in Hagerstown.

The best time to come is during the Treasure Sale Preview Party Friday, Nov. 3, 5 to 8 p.m. in the museum’s atrium. Admission is $35 per person. Party attendees will enjoy light refreshments and the opportunity to purchase items before the sale opens to the public on Saturday.

Registration for the party is required by contacting Donna Rastelli at 301-739-5727 or drastelli@wcmfa.org. The preview reception has been made possible with the support of Finders Keepers Fine Consignments.

This sterling silver bracelet is one of the items featured at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts’ annual Treasure Sale fundraiser, set for Nov. 3, 4, 5 and 7, at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive in Hagerstown.
This sterling silver bracelet is one of the items featured at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts’ annual Treasure Sale fundraiser, set for Nov. 3, 4, 5 and 7, at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive in Hagerstown.

As a special bonus on Friday night, shoppers have a chance to win a Tudor Dollhouse, which comes fully furnished, including a doll family of four, a tiny ceramic cat, and a baby grand piano.

Raffle tickets for the dollhouse are on sale now for $10 and are available at the museum or by going to wcmfa.org/treasure-sale/. Online tickets will be sold until Friday at 10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased in person during the party until 7 p.m. The winning ticket will be drawn during the Preview Party. You do not need to be present to win.

A Murray Fire Chief car is one of the items on sale at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts’ annual Treasure Sale fundraiser, set for Nov. 3, 4, 5 and 7, at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive in Hagerstown.
A Murray Fire Chief car is one of the items on sale at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts’ annual Treasure Sale fundraiser, set for Nov. 3, 4, 5 and 7, at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive in Hagerstown.

Free admission is for shoppers on Saturday, Nov. 4, Sunday, Nov. 5, and Tuesday, Nov. 7. Hours are Saturday, 10  a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m., and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Sunday, shoppers can fill a bag for $25, and on Tuesday fill a bag for $15. (The museum provides the bags.) The Treasure Sale accepts cash and all major credit cards.

Those who would like a free look at some of the items for purchase can see those seen in the museum’s hallway display cases up until the event. Items include a red pair of cowboy boots, a View-Master with discs, an array of jewelry, ceramics and more.

This mid-century Finland pitcher is one of the items on sale at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts’ annual Treasure Sale fundraiser, set for Nov. 3, 4, 5 and 7, at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive in Hagerstown.
This mid-century Finland pitcher is one of the items on sale at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts’ annual Treasure Sale fundraiser, set for Nov. 3, 4, 5 and 7, at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive in Hagerstown.

So come and rescue an item from the Treasure Sale that can be cherished in your home.

Crystal Schelle is the director of marketing and communications at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. The museum is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays, as well as Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Go to wcmfa.org, or find the museum on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.  

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Hagerstown area art museum sets annual Treasure Sale