“As I recall,” Rugo said, “the reason to do the yard sale was that the house tours had been so successful in getting people to Dorchester, getting them into a neighborhood, one of many that people had no idea were even there, that it was partly for people to make money and sell and unload their things, but also a way to get people walking around their neighborhood. There were a number of house tours on Ashmont Hill in the 1970s before residents decided to convert the event into an annual yard sale. The first organized yard sale was in 1981, but in 1976, something of the sort took place at 16 Harley St., which was owned by a group whose members did not speak and who followed the teachings of the 20th-century Armenian philosopher and mystic George Gurdjieff, Rugo said, adding, “It was just kind of a community thing because they were into community and they were new to the neighborhood.” “And hopefully not refill it with other stuff.” “It’s a good chance to clean out your basement,” Gildea said. In its early years, around 20 homes participated, but now there are regularly about 50 residences across just a few blocks where homeowners scavenge in their basements and plunder their attics for a profitable spring cleanout. Now heading into its 39th (make that 43rd!) year, the tradition is still under the stalwart command of Joe Gildea. People wander up and down the hills of the neighborhood’s streets with paintings tucked beneath their arms and books in hand as the smell of cooking ribs wafts up Harley Street and through the spring foliage.Īnd so the Ashmont Hill Garage Sale merrily chugs along after four decades. It’s a cornucopia of vintage dishware, eclectic clothing, trinkets, and furniture, and wooden skis laid out across a lawn. This article about the history of the event was first published in 2018. Editor's note: The Ashmont Hill Yard Sale returns on Sat., May 20.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |