The Grove Heritage Association is clearing out attics, basements, closets and every other nook and cranny at The Grove National Historic Landmark in Glenview for their first-ever Barn Sale, featuring vintage finds, antiques and eclectic treasures, taking place Saturday and Sunday, May 21 & 22, 9 am-4 pm each day.

During the same weekend, The Grove Heritage Association (GHA) will also hold their annual plant sale of perennials, flowering pots and baskets, and native plants. Both events are free to attend and serve as fundraisers for GHA, which provides stewardship and fundraising support to The Grove. Proceeds benefit The Grove.

For those who can’t wait to get their hands on a piece of history, GHA is hosting a Barn Sale Preview Night on Friday, May 20 from 5-8 pm. For just $5 per group, preview night shoppers will get first pick of all the amazing items for sale, before the event opens to the general public on Saturday.

“This is the kind of sale that will interest a wide spectrum of buyers” says Grove Archivist, Elizabeth Kopp. She is careful to note that none of the items for sale have a historical connection to the Kennicotts, the pioneering family whose ancestral home and land now serve as a public history museum and nature preserve at the Glenview Park District.

Instead, GHA is selling off hundreds of items The Grove has accumulated through donations from generous supporters or purchases from antique stores. The items for sale also include display racks and cases used at GHA’s now-retired Holiday Craft Faire fundraiser. This could translate into some finds for collectors, antique dealers, refurbishers, interior designers and bargain hunters, according to Kopp.

“Some exciting items include a full size, double-wheeled Victorian coffee grinder, and a beautiful antique library table with a barley twist detail. We have an enormous collection of bird books for sale, some of which are out of print,” says Kopp.

Also for sale are antique dressers, desks, rocking chairs, display cabinets, pictures and frames, mirrors, a chandelier and spinning wheels. Kopp says that prices range from $1-$2,500, so there is something for every shopper. She describes the Barn Sale as being similar to an estate sale. “We were lucky to have the assistance of fine art, antiques and collectible appraiser, Gary Piattoni, who can be seen on Antiques Roadshow. He evaluated our items and gave us some information about each piece and its value,” she says.

Cash, checks or credit cards are accepted for Plant Sale and Barn Sale purchases. Admission to the Barn Sale Preview Night is cash only. Buyers can make arrangements with The Grove to pick up oversized items.

In addition to the Plant Sale and Barn Sale weekend, GHA is hosting two additional fundraisers to benefit The Grove. “Brunch with Rachel Carson” is September 14, 2022, and a Holiday Market is scheduled for December. For schedules and additional information, visit GHA’s brand new website at https://groveheritageassociation.org/. The Grove Heritage Association is also on Facebook and Instagram.