Museum sale at Skagit City School this weekend

The Skagit Historical Museum's annual Sale at the School runs 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday-Sunday, April 19-21 at the Skagit City School, 17508 Moore Road on Fir Island.

Museum Director Jo Wolfe is excited about this year's sale pieces. The vintage treasures and collectibles include a room of tools, model cars and costume jewelry and other items from the estate of Daralene Youngquist, who died last summer at the age of 99.

"Year after year, people save their lovely items for this sale," said Wolfe. Inventory highlights posted on the Museum's Instagram and Facebook feeds let buyers preview the goods.

While many sale items are historical, Wolfe emphasizes that none come from the Museum's collection. "Museums follow strict ethical guidelines," she said. "You can't say, 'I like this chair, it would look good in my house, why not de-accession it and I'll pay the museum a couple hundred bucks?'"

Any item that the Museum decided to remove from its collection would have to be de-accessioned, then sold by a third-party seller or at an auction. Shoppers can take home their purchases with a clear conscience.

Even better, proceeds help support museum operational expenses. Its current exhibit "Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs" features the life and work of Skagit County sign maker, graphic artist and painter Bob Mortenson. The mural on the Nasty Jack's building at Morris and First streets is his most prominent La Conner sign.

The Skagit City School will be open again for two programs showcasing women. On April 28, Jesse Kennedy shares how mystery writer Mary Roberts Rinehart led a 1916 expedition across Cascade Pass. On May 5, Samish Island resident Jan Jones will share stories told her by Mary Scott, a Stick Samish woman who always described herself as half English, half Indian and one hundred percent American. Both programs begin at 2 p.m.