'Treasure' Hunters Do Their Part for Historic Preservation

Visitors to the Bowers Farm usually come away with an appreciation of history, but on Saturday they could literally walk away with it.

For the second straight year, the Friends of Bowers Farm and the Friends of Preservation Bloomfield joined together for a barn and gazebo sale. Antiques, furniture, collectibles and household odds-and-ends were available from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for separate sales that benefit both the Bowers School Farm and the Barton Farmhouse restoration project. 

Traffic appeared steady throughout the day, which was more than organizers could say last year.

"Last year it just rained the whole time and this year we we're hoping much better conditions," said Mary Lou Kopmeyer, who organized the event for Friends of Preservation Bloomfield.

The groups used the gazebo and 1920s vintage barn to stock shelves with an eclectic collection of estate and garage sale items.

Many of farm animals were out and about and some frolicked amid the items.

"I think it is a healthy education, with the farm animals," said Alice McIntyre of Bloomfield Township while reminiscing about how her daughter's second- or third-grade class planted a vegetable garden there several years ago.

She said she came to support her children, her grandchildren and the farm.

Kopmeyer said that part of her group's purpose is to give future generations a sense of how their community has transformed.

"It will be nice for the kids one day and nice for them to know this area's history, the story behind their home," she said.

Paulette Juncker came with her son, Peter, to support the cause and hopes of finding a good deal.

"We saw it in the paper and we had to stop by," she said. She explained that Peter learned a lot through courses on animal growth, history and plants he participated in during repeated field trips.

Saturday's event had a few new features, such as the 4H Fun Show, considered a dress rehearsal for the July Oakland County Fair. Also new this year was a plant sale to coincide with the others.

Any unsold items will be donated to the St. Hugo of the Hills School for their 42nd annual fund-raiser beginning Wednesday.