The Puget Sound Genealogical Society will have its annual Kitsap Antique Show March 16-17 at the county fairgrounds.

Jean Yager, president of the PSGS, said the event originally was a fundraiser for her group and the Kitsap Historical Society.

Ruth Reese, president of the Manette Historical Society, said the first show was in 2000. Reese is a longtime and avid collector of antiques of all kinds, and a pillar of the the local community of preservationists. Speaking in her home—which earlier belonged to the first mayor of Bremerton and which is a trove of interesting and uncommon articles—Reese explained her interest in all things historical, and how antiques can help us understand history.

She said that every human-made thing has a story of time, place, technology and culture, and so retaining, preserving and understanding the history and background of an object is a window into the past of a time, people and place. Although packed with intriguing memorabilia, her home has the feel of a museum, not a hoarder’s den, and Reese had the location and provenance of every item in it at her fingertips.

Reese described the areas of special knowledge that the show’s appraisers will make available for $5 per item, which include gold and jewelry, watches, dolls, glass, silver, linens and a long list of other areas of expertise (even Teddy bears). Just like on the popular TV program Antiques Roadshow, the appraisers might be able to educate visitors on their rare and valuable artifacts (or explain that they’re harboring a piece of junk and unreasonable hope).

Jeanny Peel, PSGS dealer chair, said this year’s event has 22 antique vendors already booked from as far away as California, with the possibility of more signing up on late notice, from as far away as California. That’s a good number, she said, as in recent years many of the usual vendor participants have given up the business due to age, lack of interest or both. Given that, having a new crop of exhibitors, with new items and new areas of specialization, guarantees that the items for sale (and just for looking at), remain worthy of the show.

Peel, Yager and Reese all agreed that even though it’s a fundraiser the show also plays a role as a historical look at the community. So, if you inherited a Moss Covered Three Handled Family Gradunza (or some other pig in a poke…that’s an antique saying there), and have no idea what it’s worth, or who might want it, the Kitsap Antique Show might be a place you want to go.

Ruth Reese’s home is packed with all types of antiques and looks like a museum.

Ruth Reese, president of the Manette Historical Society.

Jean Younger, Jeanny Peel and Ruth Reese talk about the upcoming antique show.