With the exception of artwork, everything inside the Met will be sold at auction Wednesday.
From science exhibits, to office equipment-- to the giant holiday decorations that adorned the museum every Christmas.
"Its a tremendous loss to the whole community and the valley to have to be going through this with the museum," says potential buyer Sally Caglia, "But hopefully we'll be able to put these beautiful things on display in other places and put them to good use for the community."
Auctioneer JR Searcy suspects some of the more unique items may get high bids, like this antique Japanese printing press. Or the marble Foo dogs that once stood at the museums entryway-- they were a gift from China.
"The last bid out of the crowd is going to buy it; if its 500, 5,000 or 15,000-- whatever. We won't stop until the crowd does."
Artists Daly Henderson and Craig Easter stopped by looking for nothing in particular -- other than a good deal. "Yeah there's lots of interesting stuff and being an artist-- this is kind of my world," says Henderson.
But both were disappointed to see the items grouped into large lots.
"I wish we could by 10 chairs, not 50 chairs.. I wish I could buy an office chair, not 5 office chairs-- so that is really our dilemma," says Easter. "If the price is right we'll call friends and go 'hey you want plexi-glass stands-- I've got lots.'"
Proceeds from the auction will go to the holders of the museum's 4-million dollar debt.
"We are putting a happy face on this thing-- that was then, this is now-- we're going to get as much money for creditors as we can, and go on down the road."
The auction begins Wednesday at 9am.
The public can still preview the items for sale tomorrow, from 8 to 5pm.
You can also see some of the items on line @ www.jrauctions.net