Sid Denny Memorial Antique Auction

      The 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House is hosting the Sid Denny Memorial Antique Auction online this year. The local museum held an antique and collectible auction for over 16 years headed up by founding board member Sid Denny. Unfortunately, Sid passed away last year requiring the museum’s board of directors to reorganize and revamp the annual fundraiser. In honor of Sid Denny’s ceaseless support of the site and his love for antique auctions, the Antiques & Collectibles Auction has been renamed in his memory. 

     In 2020, what had always been an in-person fundraiser moved online due to Covid-19. Now people from the MetroEast area, as well as, nationwide can participate by visiting the link posted above. Bidding began on April 29 and will conclude on September 19 at 6 p.m. New items are added regularly so bidders are encouraged to check back weekly. Winning bidders from outside the area can have their items conveniently shipped to them but will need to pay shipping costs. Local winners can pick up their items on Saturday, September 21 from 8 a.m. -1 p.m. at GEM Storage located at 447 S. Buchanan Street (off Linden St. behind Market Basket).  

     This is one of two annual fundraisers benefiting the continued restoration and educational programming at the 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House. Auction organizers are currently accepting donations of antiques and collectibles to include in this year's auction; however, they cannot accept modern or large items or furniture. 

     Acceptable donations include small or medium-sized antiques and collectibles such as pocket and hunting knives, old photo albums, oil paintings (not prints), comic books, Christmas items (pre-1960; cast iron, pressed steel, or tin children’s toys (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, and wind-up toys) and Indigenous items like arrowheads, axes and craft items; vintage advertising items such as wood boxes with stamped advertising, metal signs, beer signs, and yardsticks; postcards and old valentines, and military memorabilia from the Civil War, WWI and WWII; older coins (e.g., wheat pennies, gold and silver coins, and some types of old paper money); art/ceramic pottery by makers such as Rookwood, Roseville, Hull, Van Briggle, and Weller.

     If you have items to donate but are not sure they’d be acceptable or would like to arrange for someone to pick up your items, call the Stephenson House at (618) 692-1818. Donations for this year’s auction will not be accepted after August 18.  Donations may be dropped off at the museum Thursday – Saturday, 10 am- 3 pm and Sunday 12-3 pm. Stephenson House is located at 409 S. Buchanan, Edwardsville, Illinois.