BENHAM, Ky. – Have you ever wondered what that old lamp that your grandmother gave you is worth?
Here’s your chance to find out. The Kentucky Coal Museum in Benham will be holding an Antique Appraisal Fair on Saturday, Nov. 18. And during the weekend of Nov. 17-18, the School House Inn in Benham will be offering a special discount for rooms.
Certified appraisers will be available 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to discuss the value of your favorite antique or vintage item. Fees of $5 and less will be charged for the appraisals. The event will also provide information on restoring and preserving photos, paper copies, quilts and quilting techniques, glassware, pottery and more.
Proceeds will be used to match a grant to develop a historic walking tour and brochure for the museum about historic Benham. Admission to the museum is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and $2 for students. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1-4 p.m.
Donations are now being accepted for a silent auction. There will also be an “Ugly Lamp” contest. Vendor space is still available for $25 per booth. (The deadline for booths is Nov. 15.)
The Kentucky Coal Museum and the School House Inn are operated by the Kentucky Department of Parks. The museum features displays from the mining industry and coal town life, including an exhibit about Loretta Lynn and a simulated coal mine. Call the museum at 606-848-1530 for more information.
The School House Inn, across the street from the museum, will offer rooms for $44.95 a night on Nov. 17 and 18, subject to availability. The inn was built as a school in 1926 and still has many features of a school. The inn also has a restaurant. For reservations, call 1-800-231-0627.
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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 52 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov