NJ's Largest And Oldest Rummage Sale Celebrates 100-Year Anniversary

FAR HILLS, NJ — New Jersey’s largest and oldest rummage sale — and rumored favorite of Jackie Kennedy Onassis — is celebrating its 100-year anniversary.

The Atlantic Visiting Nurse Fall Rummage sale first took place in Far Hills, New Jersey, in 1923. Every year it attracts thousands of bargain hunters, collectors and vintage lovers from across New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Over the years, lucky shoppers have uncovered hidden, and unusual, gems including an antique device for artificially inseminating cows, an antique, silver Tiffany bowl, a set of Eames chairs, two original Grandma Moses paintings and an Edison phonograph.

The event which began with just a handful of tables is now New Jersey’s biggest rummage sale, set over 2 acres with 25 departments and a loyal team of over 400 volunteers – led by co-chairs Katie Dooley and Patricia Neill.

The sale, which takes place twice a year, was originally set up to raise money for the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills, which merged with Atlantic Homecare and Hospice in 2019 and was rebranded as Atlantic Visiting Nurse.

Mary Pradilla, Executive Director of Atlantic Visiting Nurse, said: “We are very conscious of the incredible history and legacy of the Rummage Sale. It really is an honor to be part of this event, which really is at the heart of the community.

"Celebrating 100 years is a wonderful achievement and it really is a moment to reflect on the extraordinary commitment of the hundreds of volunteers who make this event possible," said Pradilla.

"From setting up the sale, taking donations, pricing, selling and cleaning up, they are the people that make all this happen and we thank them for it," said Pradilla.

Mayor Kevin P Welsh, Borough of Far Hills, said: "What a proud moment in time for the Atlantic Visiting Nurse Association, 100 years of dedicated service to our surrounding community. What a tremendous group of volunteers who tirelessly give their time to the benefit of the community. The Borough of Far Hills is grateful for the partnership with the Atlantic Visiting Nurse Association and look forward to many more years of sales to come."

A bronze plaque from the Borough of Far Hills will be unveiled at Far Hills Fairground after the Fall sale to commemorate the 100-year anniversary.

The rummage sale, a cornerstone event in the community, features an impressive selection of gently used items such as clothing, jewelry, home goods, vintage vinyl records and more. The event raises money for Atlantic Visiting Nurse to provide essential homecare and community health services to those who need it most. It supports innovative utilization of new technology initiatives and funds the training of new nurse graduates for critical homecare roles.

The rummage sale will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on Oct. 6 and 7, and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 8. Admission is free to the sale, which is located at the Far Hills Fairground, at the intersection of US Route 202 and Peapack Road in Far Hills, New Jersey.

For more information about the Atlantic Visiting Nurse and their mission, visit their website at www.atlantichealth.org/rummagesale

Did you know? – Rummage Sale

• Jackie Kennedy Onassis, who lived in Far Hills, made regular donations to the Rummage Sale.
• During the 1983 Fall Sale, volunteers became suspicious when they received a flurry of $100 bills. It turned out it was due to a generous employer – the King of Morocco. During a visit to his estate in Somerset Hills, he had gifted his 40 employees $100 each and instructed them to head to the Rummage Sale to buy warm clothes for the New Jersey winter.
• Unusual donations to the sale over the years include an antique device for artificially inseminating cows, a silver Tiffany bowl, a set of Eames chairs, two original Grandma Moses paintings and an Edison phonograph.
• It takes more than 400 volunteers to set up, sort donations, price sell and clean up the sale.

— Submitted by Atlantic Visiting Nurse