SPENCER — Jeff Long’s Rowan County roots run deep, and he’s proud to share with you that his family, the Millers and the Longs, have lived in the area since the 1730s. So it’s no surprise that he showed up at the Spencer Doll and Toy Museum with a few family treasures to be appraised.

When greeted by Michael Hansen, Jeff’s first response was, “I’m so glad you’re going to be able to tell me about this drum! I’ve been wondering for over 40 years.” Jeff was a small boy when he received the drum from a family member. The drum is in excellent condition, though “it’s been beat on quite a bit.

Jeff thought the drum belonged to his great grandfather, George W. Long, who was a Confederate veteran from Company F, Fifth Regiment. Long enlisted on June 16, 1861.

Michael described the item as a very high end marching band snare drum made in Philadelphia or Chicago between 1875 and 1885. The wooden inlay on the outer drum was still in excellent condition. However, the decorative decal on the outer ring of the drum showed some wear. The original drumhead had good tension and was fashioned from animal skin.

Michael, who shows up at the Museum a few times a year, was very excited to see the drum as he explained that “you don’t find many this age with the snare intact.” The snare is the part of the drum which gives the rattle sound.

Michael, who lives in Concord, is a North Carolina certified appraiser and will be back next year to host the Appraisal Fair. Just like Antiques Road Show, the event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit museum.

The museum is located at 108 Fourth Street, across from the N.C. Transportation Museum. To learn more, call 704-762-9359 or visit www.SpencerDollAndToyMuseum.com