BISHOP HILL — The Henry County Museum is having an “Old Gun Appraisal and Disposal Event” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Henry County Museum, 202 S. Park St..

Spectators are welcome. Visitors should enter through the south door.

There will be a charge of $10 for each gun submitted for appraisal. Proceeds will go to support the maintenance and operation of the Henry County Museum.

Anyone in possession of a firearm in Illinois must have a FOID (firearm owner identification card). Those who do not have a FOID card should ask a friend or relative who does have one to assist with transportation.

Firearms must be unloaded, in an appropriate case, or wrapped up and tied in a sheet, drop cloth or blanket, and placed out of reach of the driver, preferably in the trunk or cargo area of the vehicle.

The purpose of the event is to raise funds for the museum, provide people who may have old guns in their house with a way to learn what they are, what they are worth and if they do not want them, to offer a safe, legal, tax-deductible means of disposal by donating them for the benefit of the museum.

The museum will have two consultants, with a vast knowledge of old firearms and their values, on hand.

They will examine each gun, identify the make and model, provide a little history about it, and determine a value range. Then if the owner wishes, they may — but will be under no obligation — donate them to the museum.

The Henry County Historical Society will then determine whether or not it suits the museum's display purposes and either put them on display or transport it to the Rock Island Auction Company for sale with the proceeds going to benefit the museum.

The Rock Island Auction Company is the nation’s leading auction house for firearms, edged weapons and military artifacts.

The Henry County Historical Society is a non-profit charitable organization so the value of the donated items is 100 percent tax deductible.

For more information, contact Dick Edwards at (309) 441-6811 or redwards@theinter.com.