This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Heritage of the Americas Museum Hosts 'Museum Roadshow'

The Heritage of the Americas Museum on Saturday hosted Museum Roadshow, a take off of the KPBS program "Antique Roadshow."

The on Saturday hosted Museum Roadshow, a take off of the KPBS program “Antique Roadshow.”

Locals brought their antiquities to be appraised by Craig Helm, a certified appraiser.

Bill Calhoun brought pieces given to him by his grandfather. One was a Plains Indian knife sheath reportedly taken from the Battle of Little Bighorn. Craig Helm appraised the sheath at $10,000, if the piece’s history could be substantiated.

Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“It was given to me by my grandfather, who said it was from the Battle of Little Big Horn. I have no reason not to believe him,” Calhoun said.

Robert Williams, a retired San Diego Police captain, had a Native American pot he found deer hunting near Julian in the 1960s.

Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I was way back in the brush, not a lot of people get back there,” Williams said.

Williams says he has no plans to sell the piece, “either my son or my daughter will get it.”

Many brought Native American pieces acquired from friends and relatives over the years. Pots, figurines and rugs were common.

Robert Spalding had a pistol he brought from England. He says he’ll get rid of it someday.

“I don't want to die with a lot of junk,” Spalding said.

People always want to know if what they have is authentic. Helm says he sees a lot of newly manufactured arrowheads falsely passed off as the real thing.

If someone wants to own an ancient Native American pot, weapon or sculpture, Helms encouraged people not to go out and start digging.

“If you find an Indian camp site don't go out and dig up a bunch of stuff. ... It is an archaeological book, and if you take pages out of the book you lose a lot of the information.”

If something is found, Helm suggests contacting a museum or college, such as San Diego State University.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?