On March 19 at 12 p.m., silver expert Jennifer Pitman of Rago Arts and Auctions will visit the Historical Society of Princeton (HSP) to help uncover the hidden stories of silver. Guests can bring their own silver, and will also have the chance to handle items from HSP’s collection, including some belonging to Grover Cleveland’s family.

The marks on the base of a piece of silver can indicate its age, maker, and origin. Pitman will take a closer look at silver, and explore the differences between silver, silver plate, and Sheffield plate. Guests can bring their own silver pieces for identification and valuation following the talk (appointments required).

Pitman is Rago Arts and Auction’s senior account manager for Westchester and Connecticut. A 20-year auction veteran, she was vice president and silver specialist at Christie’s in New York before joining Rago in 2016. She received her MA in decorative arts from the Bard Graduate Center and her BA in history from McGill University. She is a graduate gemologist of the Gemological Institute of America. Pitman also writes a monthly column on the arts and antiques she encounters for WAG magazine.

Tickets are $5, and are free for HSP Members. Register online at www.princetonhistory.org. To make an appointment for an appraisal, call Eve Mandel, director of programs and visitor services, at (609) 921-6748 x102.