The Lemon Grove Historical Society will host a community rummage sale on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the courtyard at Treganza Park, set between the historic H. Lee House and the Parsonage Museum. The event blends a traditional rummage sale with open access to two of Lemon Grove’s preserved historic buildings, offering visitors a chance to shop, explore, and connect with local history on a single visit.
Organizers said the idea grew from a practical need to sort and share materials that have accumulated over years of Historical Society events.
Much of the focus has been on textiles and supplies once used for community gatherings and fundraisers.
As Laura Hook, president of the Lemon Grove Historical Society, said, “We have been looking at some items such as linens that were used for tea events and other fundraising events, and we had an overabundance, and I have meant to thin them out and figured we have other things as well.”
Rather than store unused items indefinitely, members decided to make them available to the public while also supporting the upkeep of the Society’s historic properties. Donations from members have continued to grow in the weeks leading up to the sale, with additional items expected on the day of the event.
The location itself plays a key role in how the event will function. With tables arranged in the courtyard between the two buildings, volunteers can easily move items from inside the H. Lee House and Parsonage Museum, both of which will be open to visitors during the event.
“The location between the Lee House and Museum will make it easier to move items from both facilities. We will have both places open for people to come in and visit,” Hook said.
Shoppers can expect a wide mix of goods, reflecting both household practicality and historical charm. Items will include linens, craft supplies, housewares, and new or gently used donations. Some items remain a surprise by nature of the rummage format, but one planned highlight includes locally significant pieces.
“We will have linens, craft supplies, housewares, new items, and, as the name rummage sale implies, unknown at this time! We will be planning to have Miller Dairy milk bottles available for sale,” Hook said.
Community participation has been strong, with members contributing ahead of the sale and continuing to bring items on event day.
“A number of Lemon Grove Historical Society members have donated already, and there are more who will bring on the day of the sale,” Hook said.
Proceeds from the event will directly support preservation efforts for both historic buildings.
“We will use the funds raised for upkeep for both buildings,” she said.
Beyond fundraising, organizers emphasize the event as an opportunity for residents, especially families and long-time locals who may never have visited, to experience the sites firsthand. The open-house aspect is designed to encourage exploration of Lemon Grove’s preserved spaces and deepen awareness of the city’s agricultural and community roots.
“This is a community event as well, and many people have lived in Lemon Grove for years and have never been in the Lee or the museum, and once they are, they love it. The history is fun to see, so many do not know the importance of the Lemon Grove area in the agricultural past,” she said.
For the Lemon Grove Historical Society, the rummage sale is both a practical fundraiser and a reminder that local history remains most powerful when it is shared, visited, and experienced in person.
