A dead raccoon hung in a tree Monday at the Roberts House on Carson Street.
Apparently, someone once used it as a stole, and now, antique dealer Molly Agard is trying to sell it.
"I bought it, and someone else will buy it," she said. "It just takes the right kind of person."
On the first weekend of every month from April to October, the Nevada Landmarks Society, has a "yard sale" to raise money for improvements to the Roberts House. It's actually more of a flea market atmosphere, where vendors come to hawking all sorts of trinkets, from rocks to old books and Fourth of July singing bears.
Vendors pay $25 per space per day. This month's yard sale drew long-time yard sale vendors, some who've been coming for 15 years to sell things in the Carson Street yard of the Roberts House.
"People who go to yard sales like to talk with other people and see different things," said Paula Cannon, yard sale coordinator for the Landmarks Society. "They want pieces for whatever reason. There are as many different reasons as there are people."
For Agard, owner of Sierrawest Antiques, the weekend was a little slow. She's attended the yard sale for five years, and it offers her an opportunity to sell some of her excess antique stock.
"I have regular people who come out here but don't come out to the store," she said. "Curious people come here because you never know what you're going to find."
Camille Souders, of Moundhouse, said she comes to small markets like the one at the Roberts House partially to visit with people. She sells license plates and sun catchers.
"And I enjoy sitting under the trees," she said. "Sometimes I do better in a small show than a big one. The money goes to a good cause and the people are nice."
Bob Kerr, a Landmarks Society member, sells jewelry and knives among other knickknacks.
"I do this a few days a week, and it gives me something to do besides playing golf or sit at home watching T.V.," Kerr said.
The Roberts House is owned by Carson City and is considered to be a city park. Built in Washoe City in 1859, the house was moved to Carson City on the V&T Railroad in 1873. The Roberts family lived in the house until the death of the youngest Roberts child, Thurman, in 1969, Cannon said. The Landmarks Society helps maintain the house, raises money for improvements and gives tours of the Victorian-era home. The next Roberts House yard sale is Saturday, Aug. 5 and Sunday, Aug. 6. The last sale will be on Nevada Day. For information call 887-2174.
