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Annual Tool Show and Auction
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PATINA Meetings
Jan, March (Annual Tool Show and Auction) May, Jul, Sep, Nov 2024
What is PATINA?
The Potomac Antique Tools and Industries Association, Inc. (PATINA) is an educational, tax-exempt organization for people who have an interest in the tools, crafts or manufacturing processes of the past.
Formed in 1977, PATINA is a regional tool club based in the Washington, D.C. area. We have members from 24 states, the District of Columbia and several foreign countries. Antique tool collectors, tool users and people simply seeking knowledge are well represented in PATINA's membership. The annual dues of $15 includes membership for the entire family and they are welcome to participate in all PATINA events. PATINA's original group of about 30 has grown to over 350. Antique tool collectors, tool users and people simply seeking knowledge are well represented in PATINA's membership.
Our mission is to promote and increase knowledge and understanding of the tools and trades practiced by our American ancestors.
Our bimonthly meetings, held at the American Legion Post 270 in McLean, Virginia 22101, generally start with tailgate sales around 9:00 AM, followed by a short tool auction around 12 noon. The presentation by the guest speaker begins after the auction.
Latest News from PATINA
March 2026 Tool Show and Auction news
For information regarding table registration for indoor “dealers”, please contact Dave Murphy at murphydave1898@gmail.com Dave will send packets to previous dealers in late December. We have already received requests from potential consignors for our March event. We do NOT have an auction coordinator so we have not accepted consignments yet. Please consider taking on a...Continue reading→
2026 Calendar dates announced!
We have finalized the dates for 2026 meetings and the annual tool show! 2026 Schedule: January 11 March 14 (Held at Damascus Md. Volunteer Fire Center, 10211 Lewis Drive, Damascus, Md, 20874) May 17 (avoids conflict with Mother’s Day) July 12 September 13 November 15 Our bimonthly meetings are held at the American Legion Post...Continue reading→
PATINA still looking for members to replace two departing officers!
As previously announced, President Harold Syms has moved to CA and can no longer serve as President. We are very grateful for Harold’s leadership. VP John Davis is planning to move to TN, likely early spring 2026. We have a new Treasurer and our positions for Website, Media, Membership, and Dealer Sale Event Manager are...Continue reading→
Our next meeting is September 14, featuring Eric Benson
Join us Sunday September 14 for our bi-monthly meeting and featured talk by Eric Benson, avid collector of early American try squares and sliding bevels. As always, tailgating will start around 9am. A mini-auction will follow around 11am with Eric’s presentation to begin directly afterward. Discover the manufacturing history of these important tools along with...Continue reading→
Join us for our next meeting, Sunday July 13!
We are very pleased to announce that our July program features Chris Swan, Senior Conservator, Wooden Artifacts, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. The idea to invite Chris was sparked after reading various tool forums where so many guys were asking if they should clean a tool, or how to clean it, and the responses were often conflicting...Continue reading→
PATINA urgently needs your help!
The PATINA club urgently needs your help! PATINA programs and tool trading events have benefitted many in the past, and we need just a few to support the mission. In an unfortunate coincidence, the President and Vice President are moving out of the area, and we have board members who are retiring. We urgently need...Continue reading→
Annual Tool Sale and Auction
On March 15, 2025, PATINA held its most recent Annual Tool Show and Auction in Damascus, Maryland. The auction took place on the same day as the dealer tool sale and started at 2:00 pm. consignees submitted tools, books, catalogs, artwork and advertising items pertaining to the subject of tools.
This annual event is free to attend and open to the general public and consists of tailgating (Friday and Saturday outside the Hall), a dealer tool sale (inside the Hall) and a tool auction (Saturday inside the Hall). The lots are open for inspection all day and usually feature antique tools, planes, chisels and the like but can also have user tools, antiques, collectables, signs and even some scientific-type pieces.
Auction-Related News
- PATINA still looking for members to replace two departing officers! Sep 3, 2025
- The 45 PATINA Annual Tool Show and Auction has ended and was a huge success!! Mar 18, 2025
- The 2024 44th Annual Tool Show and Auction was a big success!! Apr 9, 2024
- The 2023 43rd annual Tool Show and Auction is in the books! Mar 21, 2023
Inside the PATINA Annual Tool Show and Auction
Tailgater's section at the PATINA Tool Sale & Auction
Benefits of Membership
Our mission is to promote and increase knowledge and understanding of the tools and trades practiced by our American ancestors. Membership in PATINA is open to anyone interested in our mission.
- Attend PATINA Tool Meetings – Antique & traditional tools for sale, trade, programs, displays & demos. See schedule of meetings and information on previous meetings.
- Our annual Tool Auction has become a significant event in the tool marketplace. Quality tools and especially collector-type tools command larger premiums at our events. Tools are consigned by members and buying is open to the public. As almost all of the work of conducting the auction is done by member volunteers, we offer an inexpensive means of selling tools to the collecting community.
- Invitations to educational programs, auctions, and tool sales.