The South Dakota State Railroad Museum takes in donations from the Hill City Antiques Sale and Appraisal Days.
Museum director Rick Mills says the popular event, now in its eighth year, continues to grow. Previously held in the Hill City Senior Center, the event this year moved to the middle school gym and next year might have to find an even bigger venue.
Mills says a big draw is the opportunity for people to have their antiques appraised.
“These folks that are here today are appraisers,” Mills says, “but in this situation they’re working as evaluators, which basically is to identify the piece, give you an idea of its worth. Maybe there’s something about it that there’s a little more intrinsic value or just the history of the piece that you don’t know about.”
He says it’s hard to “stump the band” in this room, where vendors are available to offer appraisers back-up expertise.
Proceeds also help to support the Hill City Senior Center, and profits from concessions go to Hill City school athletics and activities.
