Events

Sentimental Value or Family Treasure? Let the experts weigh in! Your grandmother’s favorite vase or necklace may be worth a small fortune. Would you like to know?

Hosted by The First Congregational Church of Marion on Saturday May 18 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm, this event will be held at the Community Center, 144 Front Street (rear of the General Store parking lot) on the second floor. The Community Center is equipped with a chair lift at the end of the long hall. In addition to the Afternoon Tea, guests are encouraged to bring an antique, piece of jewelry, art or a curiosity piece to be reviewed by experts in their field. Marion’s local antique expert, Frank McNamee of Marion Antiques, along with colleagues Nick Taradash and Abigail Field will provide information and commentaries. Their love of history has led Frank, Nick and Abigail to their current careers with each having an affinity for a specific area whether it be jewelry, manuscripts, decorative art and design, or textiles, clothing and East Asian antiques. Frank, Nick and Abigail have conducted appraisal discovery days for numerous non-profits groups and The First Congregational Church is thrilled to have Frank, Nick and Abigail join them on May 18th.

Many of us know Frank McNamee but may not be aware that his expertise is recognized far and wide outside of Marion’s borders. Frank has over 45 years in the antique business and 30 years appraisal experience. He is the owner of Marion Antique Shop which is located in Marion and is one of the largest and most active antiques shops in New England, and Marion Antique Auctions, which is Southeastern Massachusetts most important auction gallery conducting three to four high-end sales a

year. He has handled Southeastern Massachusetts most significant estates. In 2013 he sold the lost Edgar Allan Poe manuscript for $300,000 and in 2020 he sold an old master drawing by Jan Lievens for $500,000. Frank has conducted appraisals for numerous law firms and museums including the Smithsonian Institution, the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the New Bedford Museum of Glass, Providence College, Rhode Island School of Design, and numerous historical societies. Frank is past president of the Sippican Historical Society and now curator of its museum in Marion, MA. He is a member of the Cape Cod Antique Dealers Association and a senior member of the Providence Appraisal Collaborative. Frank graduated from Massachusetts Auctioneer’s School and maintains a current Massachusetts auctioneers license. Frank has also volunteered as a guest celebrity auctioneer for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater New Bedford, as well as the New Bedford Whaling Museum where he auctioned off the painting by Arthur Moniz titled The Home Coming for the Morgan Homecoming Gala in 2014 for $50,000.

A limited number of tickets are available. Admission: $25 in advance, $30 at the door and includes one item for review by this talented team. Additional items may be reviewed at $10 per item as time 

permits.

Advance tickets can be purchased at:

• Marion General Store, Front Street, Marion

• Church Office, FCCM Community Center — Tues - Fri 9:00 am -2:00 pm

• Penny Pinchers Exchange, 39 Main Street — Wed & Sat;  10:00am -1:00 pm