Gift of Nostalgia: A Day at an Estate Auction

Last week, after celebrating our family’s Thanksgiving traditions, we indulged in too many turkey leftovers and barely survived the chaos of Black Friday shopping. Then we settled in to watch Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy, a new Netflix documentary exposing the dark side of overconsumption. While sobering, I highly recommend it—it certainly made me reflect on my buying habits.
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By late Friday, we were ready for a change of pace. That’s when I came across a post by Aasness Auctioneers advertising a live estate auction in Dalton, MN. It was described as a rare opportunity to browse hundreds of exceptional primitives and antiques from Mary Lou Johnson’s estate. Mary Lou, well-known in the area for her extensive collection of rare country and Scandinavian pieces, had amassed treasures unlike any other.

Portion of the auction's sale bill

Live auctions like this have become rare, especially ones with the quality and quantity of items this sale promised. With no online bidding allowed, it was bound to draw a large in-person crowd, including many deep-pocketed antique dealers. Still, the idea of experiencing the event, and perhaps gathering a little story inspiration, was too good to pass up.
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We left early Saturday morning, braving a frigid six degrees Fahrenheit for the 80-mile drive. Despite arriving 45 minutes before the auction began, most of the metal folding chairs were already claimed. We settled for seats farther back, tossed my heavy winter coat over two, and began inspecting the sale items. The pictures on Facebook hadn’t done the collection justice—there were so many items I’d have loved to take home! But I suspected this wasn’t going to be a bargain-hunting kind of day.

The auction kicked off with a heartwarming story from the auctioneer, who shared how Mary Lou had helped teach him the ropes of the business decades earlier. He recalled her braving a muddy farm auction in high heels, painting a picture of the woman behind this incredible collection. Many in the crowd knew Mary Lou personally and hoped to take home a keepsake from her lifetime of collecting.

As the sale commenced, the auction team demonstrated their expertise, balancing the need to keep bids competitive while maintaining a steady pace. The sheer volume of items meant it would be a long day. By noon, we’d only purchased coffee and pulled-pork sandwiches for lunch. I had my eye on a twisted-wire Christmas tree that would have been perfect for my vintage ornaments, but the bidding quickly exceeded our comfort level.
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Mary Lou’s rare, often handcrafted items were fetching high prices, making it clear that we’d likely do more watching than buying. Still, the event itself was fun. We struck up a lively conversation with the couple seated in front of us, discovering shared interests. I hope our paths cross again. The auctioneer even paused the sale for door prizes and to highlight Dalton’s annual Christmas Fest, a small-town celebration featuring a nightly light show ranked among the top in Minnesota. It was a heartwarming reminder of the pride and community spirit that too often feels missing these days.

By mid-afternoon, I’d made just one purchase: a set of three small crocks in a beautiful springtime blue. While other items—like a quaint antique feather tree—went for more than we were willing to pay, the day was still full of inspiration. A hand-hewn wooden baby cradle, with tiny heart cutouts, will undoubtedly become a family heirloom in one of my upcoming stories. A squat red wooden bucket labeled “sugar” might find its way into a vintage cabin on Silvermist Lake.

As the hours passed, the crowd thinned, but prices remained high. Finally, near the end of the sale, the flat of candlesticks I’d been eyeing all day came up for bidding. Two dealers poked through it right before the auctioneer began, and I cringed, worried they’d drive up the price. With only the crocks to show for our efforts, we decided to splurge. It was now or never. The candlesticks—and their vintage candles—were coming home with us, no matter what!

​I’m happy to report that we won the bid. As we drove home, the hot air blasting from the truck vents around my feet softened the old candle wax, causing it to droop. But a little gentle reshaping later, they looked as good as new and are now proudly finding their way into our holiday decor.

That Saturday auction was the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. And as a bonus, our bidding number was drawn for one of the auction’s turkey giveaways! It’s safe to say I’ll be spending more time in the kitchen this week, cooking yet another turkey.

Wishing you joy and moments of gratitude as you navigate this holiday season. If the season starts to feel overwhelming, consider taking a quick road trip—you never know what unexpected delights might await!  Kim