HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. — Couples have been married and families have celebrated birthdays and graduations at the historic Colonial Inn in Hillsborough. But on Saturday, a little piece of that history will be up for sale.

The inn has been in Hillsborough since 1759. According to the owners until it closed last April, it was the oldest continuing operating inn in the country. In fact, legend has it that it was a prime stop for Gen. Corwallis and his troops during the Revolutionary War.

On Friday, the owners of the inn and their relatives starting tagging linens, lamps, wash stands and chairs for sale. Just the mention of the sale has been enough to raise some eyebrows.

One thing you cannot put a price on are memories. For many people, that is what the Colonial Inn really represents to them.

"I grew up here. Anytime our family would get together for a special occasion, we would come here," one woman said.

The Colonial Inn sale will be this weekend in Hillsborough. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The inn itself will be auctioned off at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 22.