From the Archives: A Look Back at UU Lansing’s Rummage Sales
By Ed Busch
This week, I’m diving into the history of rummage sales at UU Lansing, starting with the November 2, 1965 newsletter and a snapshot of events from that time. This was just eight years after the merger between the First Universalist Church of Lansing and the Unitarian Fellowship of East Lansing, with Rev. Tomm Smith as our minister.
In the Lansing Liberal newsletter, here’s a look at the activities for November 1965:
Nov. 6: Speaker Howard Jones on “Privies, #3 Tubs & 15 Sq. Ft.”
Nov. 7:
Forum with Ronald Crossland, Administrative Coordinator for Title 2B of the Economic Opportunity Board
Worship service with Mrs. George Thornton as Worship Leader and Rev. Robert Eddy on “Love and Marriage and the Horseless Carriage”
Lansing Religious Youth (LRY) with speaker Rabbi Frankel
Music Committee meeting
SRL (Students Religious Liberals) meeting at MSU Student Union
Nov. 12: Board Meeting
Nov. 13: Exploring Cinema Society screening The Gold Rush with Charlie Chaplin
Nov. 14: Buffet Dinner for SRL
Nov. 21: Orientation meeting for new members
Nov. 26 & 27: Rummage Sale at IOOF Hall
Our annual Rummage Sale, a popular fall event that continued into the 1990s (and sometimes in spring), became a beloved tradition. But what exactly is a rummage sale? Historically, “rummage” was a nautical term from the 16th century, referring to how cargo was packed on ships. Unclaimed or damaged cargo was often sold at “romage” sales on docks. By the late 19th century, churches held rummage sales to raise funds, giving the term its modern meaning. As an aside, Garage sales differ from rummage sales in that they are usually organized by an individual and not an organization.
With the acquisition of the Grove St. building, our rummage sales moved to our Social Hall. In May 1985, an insert in the Liberal Express promoted the September Rummage Sale to support the operating budget, as finances were tight that year. Later, the sale announced a “Boutique” section for better-quality items, and it became a successful event. Marianne Davis and Mary Stewart, our Finance Committee chairs, announced a success—raising over $2,000!
From May 1985 newsletter
Jumping to 1998, during Rev. Barbara Edgecombe’s interim ministry, the Liberal Express highlighted upcoming events for August, including our rummage sale:
August 12: Yoga, Men’s Support Group
August 13: Finance Committee, Peace Team Training
August 16: Tai Chi, Sunday Service
August 17: Investment Committee, Peace Team
August 18: Aesthetics Committee
August 19: Yoga, Men’s Support Group
August 20: Board Meeting
August 23: Tai Chi, Sunday Service
August 26: Yoga, Pledge Committee, Men’s Support Group
August 28: Rummage Sale begins
Rev. Edgecombe’s August 16 sermon, “The Gospel of the Garage Sale,” was summarized in the newsletter with this blurb:
Value, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Barbara will explore why garage sales are so fascinating to buyers and so popular with sellers, in spite of the fact that they are to say the least, “labor intensive”!"
Rummage Sale at Grove St., 2007.0027, 1986.
Rummage Sale at Grove St. with Joan Kemper, 2007.0028, 1998.
About the Author
For those wondering who’s behind these blog posts: I’m Ed Busch, and I’m excited to share the history of UU Lansing with you. I retired in 2023 after 15 years as an Electronic Records Archivist at Michigan State University’s Archives & Historical Collections. My background is in archival administration and information science, with an undergraduate degree in Fisheries and coursework in Computer Science. I’ve also worked in fisheries, aerospace, and IT. My wife, Leigh White, and I began attending UU Lansing in the early 2000s and became members in 2006. I’ve been involved with the church archives since 2007, and both of our daughters went through UU Lansing’s RE program.
Thank you for joining me on this look back at our congregation’s past. If you have ideas for future blog topics, questions, corrections, or stories to share, please reach out at uucgl.archives@gmail.com. I’ve been traveling, so this week’s post is a bit shorter than usual, but I hope it brings back fond memories for those who remember these events and insight for those who are new.
[Editing suggestions provided by ChatGPT.]
Sources:
November 2, 1965 Lansing Liberal newsletter.
“A Short HIstory of Yard Sales”, July 1, 2018, https://localhistorymatters.blogspot.com/2018/07/a-short-history-of-yard-sales.html
“The Origin of Rummage Sale”, July 3, 2009, https://www.harbourguides.com/news/THE-ORIGIN-OF-RUMMAGE-SALE
May 20, 1985 Liberal Express newsletter.
August 12, 1998 Liberal Express newsletter.