LAGRANGE — Harris Opfer is a man who has an eye for antiques.

Opfer can rummage through an estate sale, glance at an item, purchase the item and walk away knowing he has found something priceless.

Opfer, who is a member of the LaGrange Historical Society, will be one of many local antique collectors who will have items on display at the society’s annual “Antiques and Treasures” show 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 26 at the LaGrange Township Hall, on the square in LaGrange.

According to LaGrange Historical Society secretary Dorothy Buswell, along with displays by individuals, the featured item this year is a 100-year-old backdrop curtain that was once used on the stage of the second floor of the hall.

“It is very unique,” Buswell said.

Additionally, a vintage fire truck will be on display, as well as items that collectors, like Opfer, will showcase.
“If it wasn’t for collectors, a lot of this stuff wouldn’t be here,” he said.

For Opfer, his antique collection started out with a single Arrowback plank bottom chair.

It has now morphed into a collection that includes antique egg beaters, furniture, signs, lamps, tools, cars and tractors.

“I know antique furniture real well,” the 67-year-old LaGrange resident said. “Most of the stuff we have is pre-Civil War.”

While Opfer has never had any of his antiques professionally appraised, he has an idea of what each one is worth. Plus, he keeps track of his purchases in a log book.

“I know what I paid for them, but as far as their true value, I don’t know,” Opfer said.

Like many antique collectors, Opfer is a fan of  “Antique Roadshow” on WVIZ Channel 25.

“My wife, Barbara and I will watch it together and I will know what most of the furniture is worth before the appraisers announce it,” Opfer said.

Opfer said Northern Ohio has some of the most reasonably priced antique shops, but the further south one travels, the more expensive items become.

The oldest antique Opfer owns is a rushlight from the 1600s.

To date, Opfer owns about 50 of these antique lights.

A rushlight is a type of candle holder that used the dried pith of the rush plant as its wick in the Colonial era, he explained.

Aside from antique lamps, Opfer collects vintage farm tools.

Opfer has so many farm tools that one wall of his detached garage is just about covered in pitch forks, plows and other various tools. The oldest farm tool he has is a 1796 flax hatchel.

“I used to go to homes to get items, but now I go to antique malls or I may find something at an estate or rummage sale,” Opfer said.

Want to go?

• What: LaGrange Historical Society’s annual “Antiques and Treasures” show
• When: Sept. 26
• Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Where: LaGrange Township Hall (Old Fire Station) on the square in LaGrange
• Admission is free.

Send your Grafton/LaGrange/Columbia news to Melissa Linebrink, 329-7155 or mlinebrink@chroniclet.com.

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