FARMINGDALE – For the Farmingdale Historical Society, an antique is more than an old object. It can be a reminder of how people once lived, worked, decorated their homes and built the community residents know today.
The connection between the past and present is at the heart of the Historical Society’s Antique & Vintage sale that was at 11 Asbury Avenue. The sale featured hundreds of items, offering visitors an opportunity to find something unique while supporting the organization’s efforts to preserve and share Farmingdale’s history.
Items available at the sale included a wide variety of vintage and collectable merchandise. Organizers have emphasized fair pricing, making the event accessible to experienced collectors as well as residents who may simply be searching for an interesting decoration, household item or piece of local history.
Leigh Shaffer, President of the Farmingdale Historical Society and organizer of the antique sale, said the event allowed the society to bring older items back into the community rather than allowing them to be forgotten or discarded.
“For 52 years, we had a small room in the community center, and later we moved to a larger room there,” Shaffer said. “Recently the borough moved its offices to the community center and gave us this house. After all these years, we finally have a home where we can properly display the items that have been collected since the historical society was established in 1974. It is called the Elizabeth Grove Museum in honor of Elizabeth Grove, who founded the historical society and museum.”
Each item carries its own story, even when its complete history is unknown. A piece of furniture, set of dishes, old photograph, decorative object or household tool can offer a glimpse into another era. Upon purchase, those items become part of a new household and begin another chapter of their history.
That idea closely reflects the mission of a historical society. While museums and archives preserve important photographs, records and artifacts, antique sales can encourage people to appreciate history through objects they can use, display and enjoy in their own homes.
Shaffer said proceeds from the sale also help the Farmingdale Historical Society continue its work within the community.
“The house is in pretty good condition, but there are a few things we need to take care of before we open to the public, so that’s what we’re raising the money for,” she said.
Donna Terkildsen, a member of both the Farmingdale and Howell historical societies and Treasurer of the Howell Historical Society, has seen how local organizations rely on community involvement to protect the stories of small towns.
“The Historical Society is important to the community because it helps keep the past alive in the present and preserves it for the future,” said Terkildsen. “History often repeats itself, so it is important to understand what the founders did here and continue preserving the values and integrity of family life in the community.”
Preserving local history can be especially important in communities that continue to grow and change. Buildings may be renovated, businesses may close and longtime residents may move away. Historical societies help ensure that photographs, documents, personal stories and physical objects connected to earlier generations are not lost.
For some shoppers, the sale may offer a chance to find a collectible or complete a set. For others, the appeal may come from discovering an item that reminds them of a parent’s or grandparent’s home. Younger visitors may encounter objects they have never seen before and learn how they were once used. Even those helping with sale have found treasures of their own.
“I purchased an English tea set decorated with roses, and it’s currently sitting in the trunk of my car,” Terkildsen said with a laugh.
The sale ultimately gives older possessions a second chance. Instead of remaining packed away in storage or thrown out, the items can be appreciated by new owners. At the same time, each purchase supports the Farmingdale Historical Society’s broader effort to keep the borough’s past visible for future generations.
Through the Antique & Vintage Sale, the society is showing that preserving history does not always mean placing something behind glass. Sometimes, it means allowing an old treasure to leave with someone who is ready to give it a new home.
