Blizzard Cancels Feb. 18 County Depot Antique Appraisal; Resumes March 18

The St. Louis County Historical Society canceled its Antique Appraisal that had been scheduled for Feb. 18 at the St. Louis County Depot after a blizzard created unsafe travel conditions, the society’s events calendar update said. Perfect Duluth Day’s event listing similarly noted, “This event has been canceled due to poor travel conditions,” and organizers pulled the Feb. 18 slot from the public schedule.

Organizers say the monthly series will resume on Wed., March 18, 2026, from noon to 3:00 p.m. Thehistorypeople posted the announcement reading in part, “Next Event: March 18, 2026, from noon to 3PM Register in person before 2:30PM. FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.” Attendees are asked to register in person before 2:30 p.m. on event days to be considered for the informal appraisals.

The St. Louis County Historical Society arranged for appraiser Denny Mager of Northern Specialty to be on site. WDIO’s event copy specifies Mager will be available from noon to 3:00 p.m. in the Union Lounge, outside of the Board Room, on the street level at the St. Louis County Depot, 506 W. Michigan St., Duluth. Hometown Focus and WDIO both set the rules: “Up to two items per person are allowed for an informal oral identification and evaluation of each antique. If the piece is too large or fragile to be hand-carried, clear photographs with a description of any marks and labels will be sufficient.”

The appraisal series is planned for every third Wednesday of the month in 2026, weather permitting. WDIO’s published list of third-Wednesday dates runs January 21; February 18 (canceled); March 18; April 15; May 20; June 17; July 15; August 19; September 16; October 21; and November 18. Attendees should “follow event signage” at the Depot and may call the venue at 218-727-8025 for logistics and accessibility questions.

Organizers emphasize the informal nature of the service. WDIO includes the program disclaimer: “Sponsorship does not imply endorsement of this or any other estate/appraisal service, and museum staff is prohibited by professional ethics from making financial appraisals.” The appraisal sessions are part of an on-going public education program offered by the St. Louis County Historical Society.

Thehistorypeople’s February newsletter frames SLCHS programming under the theme “Honor, Connection, and Community” and lists related activity, including a History in a Pint event on Feb. 17 where Wayne Gannaway, Executive Director of the St. Louis County Historical Society, is shown as the speaker. The society also closed exhibits and offices on Jan. 23 because of extreme cold, a separate Thehistorypeople notice shows. WDIO’s social post promoting the appraisal series on Jan. 20 recorded 11 reactions and 7 shares, underscoring local interest as the program resumes on March 18.