Yard sale benefits historical society

Leo Koschella saw the Alaskan dall sheep he wanted to photograph, but he was too late to get close.

"There we were just driving down the highway," he said, "and here he was just climbing the hill and (I yelled), 'Stop!'"

Koschella, who was a featured artist along with his wife, painter Marilyn Koschella, at the Carson City Historical Society at the Foreman-Roberts House Park, said he's fascinated by both the shapes and angels of old machinery as well as wild animals.

"I get a picture in my mind and finally I'll see what I want to do," he said.

Marilyn works with watercolors and oils to paint landscapes, lighthouses and grist mills. She said one of her favorite artists is Claude Monet.

Paula Cannon, with the historical society, said her group would like to get more featured artists, whether its music or visual art.

The society can't afford to pay them, she said, but the artists "can sit in the shade."

The Koschellas are moving to Hawaii, so the moving sale made sense for them.

Marilyn said she's been using more watercolors lately because of it.

"It's easier to move," she said. "No exciting reason."

At the yard sale, there were also people selling jewelry, tea cups, doll parts, nude pin-ups, stuffed animals, 1930s bathing suits and other items.

The sale runs through September to benefit the society.

The point is to raise money to build what the society calls a carriage house behind the Foreman-Roberts House. It will give the society more room outside the house to meet and set up displays.

The project was approved by the city in 2003. It will be owned by the city and used by the society.

The Foreman-Roberts House itself was built in 1865 by Solomen Foreman in Old Washoe City and purchased in 1866 by James Doane and Annie Roberts, who used it as a home and boarding house.

James Doane Roberts fought with Captain Storey in the Pyramid Lake Battle.

During the downturn in Old Washoe City in 1872, the house was moved to Carson City.

The home is an example of Gothic-Revival style.

For more information about the yard sale, call 882-4726 or 721-1903.