Press Releases

Native American Jewelry ‘Trading Days’ to Benefit Mitchell Museum June 19-20

Collectors Will Converge to Buy Previously Owned Treasures

Members-Only Preview June 18

EVANSTON, Ill., May 24, 2010 — The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Evanston will host its eleventh annual “Native American Jewelry Trading Days” June 19–20 for shoppers looking for bargains on authentic, previously owned Native American jewelry.

Twenty-five percent of the sale proceeds will benefit the independent nonprofit Mitchell Museum, 3001 Central St., Evanston, where museum volunteers will be staffing the display tables Saturday, June 19, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, June 20, noon to 3 p.m.

             
Mitchell Museum members can attend a private preview party Friday, June 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Admission to the members-only preview and sale is $25 per person.

Anyone wishing to have their Native American jewelry sold at the event should contact the museum at 847-475-1030 no later than June 10.  All sale items must be Native-made and are accepted on consignment by prior arrangement, not on a walk-in basis. (Nothing is actually “traded” or bartered during the event. Purchases are made by cash or credit card.)

 “Many people have beautiful earrings, bracelets, and other items that they no longer wear or don't suit their taste anymore,” says Sarabess Cahill, a museum board member who is helping coordinate the event.  “This gives them a perfect opportunity to sell those pieces, buy someone else's treasures, and benefit the museum at the same time."

Organizers say hundreds of pieces of previously owned Native jewelry will be available for purchase, including rings, pins, bolos, earrings, belt buckles, pendants, bracelets, and necklaces. Prices typically range from $15 to $600 or more, with most items priced from $30 to $60.  Most of the jewelry dates from about 1940 to the present day. Designs range from traditional to contemporary.

“These are excellent values,” Cahill says. “We’ve asked sellers to set the lowest prices they’re willing to accept.”

Admission to the event is included with museum admission. Admission fees are $5 for adults; $2.50 for seniors, students, teachers with valid school ID, and children.  Admission is free for Mitchell members and tribal members.  Maximum admission per family is $10.  From May 28 to September 6, active members of the military and their immediate families also are admitted free through the Mitchell’s participation in the national Blue Star Museums program. For information, phone 847-475-1030.

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Tuesday – Saturday:
10am – 5pm
Thursday: 10am – 8pm
Sunday: 12pm – 4pm

Adults: $5.00
Children, students,          seniors: $2.50 
Mitchell Members: FREE
Tribal Members: FREE

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