When volunteers began cataloguing the 16 decades worth of household items in the Peter Dougherty House on Old Mission Peninsula, it was obvious that the thousands of collectibles, gadgets and curiosities would more than fill the museum that the restored home will eventually become.
A portion of those items, including kitchen dishes and glassware, books, lighting fixtures, cast iron cooking implements, 78 record albums, photos, sewing machines, linens and an American flag — featuring 48 stars — was offered for sale to the public when the Peter Dougherty Society held an estate sale Saturday.
"When the movers came in, they just packed up everything from a room into crates. We had no idea just what exactly was in them until we unpacked them for the sale,” said Mary Ellen Byrne who helped coordinate the sale. Eight of the 22 crates in storage were unpacked for Saturday's event.
"As the items were inventoried, everything that was older than 1920 was kept in the house, everything else was packed away and will be sold,” said Byrne, noting that once the house is furnished to the Society's liking, older items not used will also be sold.
The historic house, built in 1842 by Rev. Peter Dougherty, a Presbyterian missionary and the area's first European settler, was the home of Rev. Dougherty, his wife, Maria and their nine children. An extensive renovation of the house and grounds by the community based volunteer organization will showcase what life was like in the home when inhabited by the Dougherty family. Proceeds from the estate sale will benefit the restoration project.
Curiosity about the Dougherty's and the history of the house brought shoppers in to see if an item or two might strike their fancy.
"I'm a native of the peninsula and I was curious to see what they would have here. I came hoping to find some picture frames, but I also found an antique pencil sharpener and a lovely vase,” said Debra Ott who browsed through the treasures along with her husband Dave.
The Ott's are certain to return when the Society holds their next estate sale, planned for Memorial Day weekend.
"We put our name on the mailing list, we'll be back,” Ott said.