The sale is the society’s biggest fundraiser of the year, with funds going to support the Evesham Historical Society and John Inskeep House.
Evesham residents eyeing a few extra decorations for their homes this holiday season are about to get a little help from the Evesham Historical Society.
The society’s annual holiday greens sale is almost here, with Christmas arrangements, centerpieces, wreaths, grave blankets, loose Christmas greens and more all on sale on Dec. 9 from noon to 3 p.m. and on Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event marks the biggest fundraiser of the year for the historical society, with all funds raised going toward its mission to preserve local history and the centuries-old John Inskeep House.
In charge of preparing the greens for the sale is Geoffrey Smith, president of the Evesham Historical Society. Smith, who has worked as a professional florist, said residents can always expect high quality greens and arrangements for the sale.
“We do top quality work,” Smith said.
Helping Smith with the greens is society vice president Pat Dougherty, who also worked with Smith in the floral industry.
“We make lovely items, all done with fresh greens, and they’re very unique. You have a lot of talent there,” Dougherty said.
Smith said the sale also marks the time when the society draws for its fundraising raffle, so those who purchased tickets should also be on the lookout.
The current John Inskeep farmhouse dates back to the early 1770s, which was built to replace the former Inskeep house that was first built in 1725 but eventually burned down.
The Inskeeps and their descendants held the house and land for more than 200 years, during which time it was altered and enlarged in multiple phases. The property was eventually sold to a different family in 1936.
From the late 1960s until 1988, the house remained vacant as it switched between several developers, until eventually the Inskeep House and a portion of the farmland was given to the Evesham Historical Society.
Smith said the historical society now operates tours of the house and uses it as its headquarters for business meetings and other activities.
“It’s more of a museum that we have there now, and we can always take people through,” Smith said.
Rooms in the house have also been arranged to seem as if they’re from time periods in the 17th and 18th centuries, and other antiques and clothing are also on display.
“It’s a lovely Victorian home which goes from attic to basement, and there’s a lot of history behind it,” Dougherty said.
For more information on the Evesham Historical Society’s Annual Greens Sale, visit www.facebook.com/EveshamHistoricalSociety/ or www.evesham-nj.gov/ehs/ehs.htm.
Those interested can also learn more about other ways to support the society or how to become a member.
