We've found old newspaper articles that mention sleds and when we do our speaking programs we ask individuals who attend whether they have any diaries from family members that might mention sledding. People mail us information from old diary passages that mention sledding parties.

Looking for antique sleds and sleighs and memorabilia is like a treasure hunt. We have some items in our collection that we just happened upon.

I think it's important for people to know the history of items, where they came from and how they came to be. I've found a niche that has opened up a new world and helped enhance my love of gardening.

After we moved to our house in Clarendon in 1977 we started getting interested in sleighs and sleds. Our first horse drawn sleigh was painted red and stenciled.