Appreciating history and treasuring the past is the backbone of the Sampler Antique Club. 

It is uncertain when the club first began, but certainly for more than 40 years local women have been gathering together in homes learning about days gone by and the objects those who lived before them used and admired.

“From the constitution and bylaws of the club, the object of the Sampler Antique Club is to promote knowledge, interest, and appreciation of antiques and related subjects,” Sampler Antique Club Secretary Veronica Coffing said.

The membership, which is comprised of active and associate members, meets on the second Friday of the month September through May, Coffing said.

“Active members serve as a hostess for at least one meeting per year,” club president Sally Green said. Hosting entails making and serving appetizers that attendees of the meeting enjoy prior to and during the programs. 

“The members usually arrive between 10 and 10:30 a.m., fix a plate of yummy food and mingle and visit with each other until around 10:30 at which time the meeting is called to order,” Green said.

In addition to Green and Coffing, members serving as officers are Nancy Ballard and Kathryn Loyacono, who co-serve in the position of 1st vice president; Betzebe Clark and Josephine Peterson who co-serve in the position of 2nd vice president; and Denise Mounger who serves as the club treasurer.

Green said Sampler Antique Club officers meet several times during the summer to decide on programs, some of which are suggested by the members.

And then the 1st vice president is charged with lining them up and setting the schedule.

These programs vary from month to month, Coffing said. While most are held in the homes of members, the club has also enjoyed outings together.

“In 2008-09, we took a field trip to Stanton Hall in Natchez, in 2014-15 we visited the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Greenwood, in 2016-17 we toured the Mississippi Museum of Art and last November we visited the Southern Heritage Air Museum in Tallulah,” Coffing said.

Other programs have included beeswax candle making, the history of jewelry and antique jewelry, seasonal napkin folding techniques and tours of local antebellum homes.

“Our programs range from actually talking about antiques — their restoration, care and value — to riding horses at Rainbow Farms,” Green said.

Clinton artist Ron Linsey served as the guest speaker at this past January’s meeting Coffing said, and story teller Terrance Roberts entertained the membership in February at the home of Shirley Gussio.

When held in a home, Coffing said, meetings begin with the president greeting the membership followed by an introduction of any guests who might be visiting the club.

Hostesses assigned to the meeting are also acknowledged, Green said, and any business that needs to be addressed is discussed.

After all business has been finalized, the president or the vice president introduces the guest speaker for the program.

Historically, for the December gathering, Green said a Christmas luncheon is held. Last year it was at the Duff Green Mansion, home of member Harley Caldwell.

“I love meeting at historic homes and places, learning their history and getting to peek ‘behind the scenes,’ Green said. “I enjoy the programs, the ladies and getting to see interesting places in and around Vicksburg.”

“Being a member of the Sampler Antique Club has been very educational,” Coffing added. “It has given me the opportunity to explore places in my hometown that I have never seen before, and I enjoy the fellowship with other members, also.”