Johnston Historical Society to sell pieces of history

CORNER CASKET: Saturday’s Johnston Historical Society Tag Sale will feature such unique items as salesman sample caskets to a mid-modern lounge chair.

Submitted photos

PUPIL PIECE: If you a collector of historic items, Saturday’s JHS Tag Sale will have items like this wooden school desk.

KEYBOARD: This old-time manual Underwood typewriter that was once used in schools will be among the many items offered in Saturday’s Tag Sale in Johnston.

PRIZE PACKAGE: This encased set of Olde Thompson salt and pepper shakers figures to be a hot item during Saturday’s JHS Tag Sale.

Johnston Sun Rise · Thursday, April 13, 2017 4:55 pm

By Pete Fontaine

It’s a rite of spring unlike any other that offers interesting items ranging from an old-time school desk, a manual typewriter, Olde Thompson salt and pepper shakers to pieces of a funeral casket.

To most people it’s a yard sale, but to the Johnston Historical Society it’s listed as a Tag Sale that has previously produced much appreciated revenue for the award winning non-profit regarded as perhaps the top ranking when it comes to history-related organizations in Rhode Island.

The Tag Sale, according to JHS board of directors member Anthony Ursillo, started three years ago and has been a great success, largely due to the efforts of Chairman Dan Brown who doubles as the JHS vice president.

This year’s 3rd Annual Tag Sale will be held this Saturday – April 15 – from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the JHS Museum Barn located at 101 Putnam Pike (Route 44) in Johnston next to the Elijah Angell House and adjacent to the Fire Department sub-station.

“The Tag Sale will include an array of items ranging from pots and pants to some very interesting items attained from a local funeral home. We welcome people to stop by and view all these unique items,” said Ursillo, “Please, no early birds and all items are on sale for cash only.”

All proceeds will benefit the JHS, and will again offer people a piece of history by purchasing a part of the past. JHS officials hope to use the funds raised to schedule more speakers and conduct other programs relating to the history of Johnston and surrounding areas.

Christopher Martin, the JHS’ corresponding secretary, also announced many of the items that will be on sale during Saturday’s Tag Sale, beginning with glassware, kitchen stuff, leather desk chairs, badminton racquets, whiffle ball bats, antique school desks, lamps and the in-season baseball gloves.

Martin’s list also included an artist’s paint box, Smith-Corona electric typewriter, bow saws, lamps, steel cook pot, baskets, vintage bottles from the Rose Beverage Company, antique case of sewing supplies, toddler’s bed, metal eagle plaque, aquarium supplies, china, wicker dining chair, Westinghouse transistor radio, stereo turn table, hand bag, baby toys and a set of three cast-iron pans as well as a modern lounge chair.

“Saturday’s Tag Sale will have all those items and much, much more,” Martin said. “If you’ve been to our previous sales, you know we have good stuff. We invited you to tag through and purchase some quality pre-owned merchandise.”

There’s plenty of parking around the JHS Museum Barn and people will also be able to join the non-profit during Saturday’s Tag Sale. Membership fees are $20 per year for an individual and only $30 for a family.