Bring your antiques to the Garden

Everyone has treasures hiding somewhere in their house. Whether they’ve been handed down between generations, or discovered recently in an antique store, you may be wondering what they’re worth. Vancouver Island University’s Milner Gardens and Woodland is offering you the chance to find out. On Sunday, February 15, from 10 am to 3 pm, Milner Gardens is presenting “Antiques in the Garden” – a fundraising event open to the public.

A team of six antique experts with experience in china, silver, art, collectables and books will be on hand to value items from the public. The price of the appraisal is $10 for the first item and $5 for each additional item. There is no registration and appraisals are limited to items small enough to be carried. Admission to the Gardens is free for those who have items for appraisal, otherwise admission is by donation.

Another feature of the event is a 50/50 sale with collectable items on offer from members of Milner Gardens and the community. If you have collectables, linens or china that you are ready to part with, the Gardens will sell them for you and split the proceeds. Tax receipts are available. If you would like to participate in the sale, please phone John or Arlene England at 250-752-6131 or email them at jaengland@shaw.ca for more information.

“This is a volunteer driven event,” said Geoff Ball, Director Milner Gardens & Woodland. “Volunteers came up with the idea and have done the bulk of the work.”  Ball said the Gardens has 250 volunteers – community members concentrated in the Parksville/Qualicum area, extending to Port Alberni and the Cowichan Valley. “It really is a Mid-Island facility.”

The Camellia tea room in Milner House will be open from 10 am to 3 pm offering light refreshments and lunch. Visitors will be able to have a peek at early spring in the garden as well as stop off at the Pool House Gift Shop to see what’s new.

This is the first event of the year at Milner Gardens, which doesn’t officially open for another two months.

“We’ll be holding a Spring Harbinger on March 7 and 8,” said Ball. “The garden really starts to come alive around that time, and then we’ll be opening for our regular season in April. We have an Easter egg hunt for the Easter weekend – it’s lots of fun. The kids really enjoy it.”

“Antiques in the Garden” takes place on Sunday, February 15 from 10 am to 3 pm at Milner Gardens and Woodland, located at 2179 West Island Highway in Qualicum Beach. Admission is by donation.

For general information about the event and details about the appraisers, visit www.milnergardens.org or phone 250-752-6153.  Milner Gardens and Woodland is located at 2179 West Island Highway, Qualicum Beach.