Ken Farmeris one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. He drove 2 hours from Radford, Virginia to The South Charleston Museum last Saturday to patiently evaluate hundreds of items brought by more than 100 people. As usual, he sold out. A large number of people stayed to watch The Maestro as he talked about the “treasures” each person brought for him to appraise.  Some people were there at 8 AM or earlier. Others drove up around 1 PM, long after all of the slots were gone. I myself took part, setting up tables, taping off the front section of chairs, and even providing camera work from 10 AM- 1 PM.

Farmer asked each person to tell him about the items. Some were truly valuable including a genuine Abraham Lincoln signature and an amazing clock. There were stunning chairs, unusual cigar dispensers, valuable glassware and much more. He used his eyepiece to show several people that their valuable “paintings” were in fact printed.

Unfortunately, the computer link he needs never got set up properly but I had a great time providing in-house video projected on the theater screen. For some reason, the camcorder would suddenly start running an in-built commercial…so I would have to re-start. Bob Arbogast brought some colored lights that added a real dimensions to the visuals.

Almost all of the SCMF board members including myself, serving as vice-chairman, came at 8 AM to set up.   Luckily, most of the items were small. One person had a small statue from Egypt and a possible genuine archaeological treasure from ancient West Virginia. I have never watched an entire “Antiques Road Show” on TV but I certainly saw that people even in WV own some amazing items. Congrats to Mr. Farmer and the SCMF board, and sole employee/director Teresa Whitt for pulling off another ultimate WV antique event. And thanks to the South Charleston Women’s Club for providing a delicious lunch for the SCMF volunteers including me.

South Charleston Museum Foundation board members Bill Breese, Lura Watkins, chairman Rhuel Craddock, Ken Farmer, and Diana Salamie

The two Phyllises - Shawver and Wehrmann - with their husbands on Friday night, eating at The Main Tin after a prep time at The La Belle Museum, getting ready for the Ken Farmer program.

Teresa Whitt, director/curator of The South Charleston Museum with chairman Rhuel Craddock, working to get The La Belle Museum ready for the Ken Farmer Show. Ms. Whitt did 99 % of the work needed to set up and promote the program, ranging from printing the advertisers, coming to the Museum early and leaving late, setting up the computer, the food, the volunteers. She really worked hard.

David Martin, Legislative webmaster and long-time graphics manager for WVLC, waits in line with his items to be appraised.

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