Talk of the Trade
The Glass Ceiling
While the use of glass in the making of everything from jewelry to stained glass windows, optical lenses, architectural structures, decorative objects, and home furnishings is commonplace today, so is ...
A “short” history on Hollywood
In the first decade of the 20th century, it was obvious to anyone who had seen a film or heard about moving pictures that this new form of entertainment was ...
Know your style
Ever drive by a house you love and not know its style? Or pick up a piece of glass or pottery at a show or flea market but you can’t ...
In Celebration of 100 Years!
As we move forward into 2023, it’s only natural to reflect on the products, inventions and discoveries that have their roots in a history that is now 100 years old, ...
10 Crafty DIY Antique Holiday Gifts
Working on your holiday gift-giving list? This year, rather than purchasing a mass-produced plastic toy, a high-priced piece of electronic gadgetry, or an unwanted item of clothing, consider turning to ...
The History of Brand Advertising
While branding is and always has been an essential part of building any successful business, standing out from the crowd is harder than ever with all the new outlets and ...
Mourning the Past
Every culture - every religion - every person - mourns in their own way. The sentiment behind that expression, however, is universal: honoring a loved one in a way that publicly ...
The Shakers Come to America
When our children were growing up we lived in western Massachusetts and within an easy drive to two Shaker Village sites: Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, MA and The Mount ...
My Old House Story
Every old house has a story. Here is mine: In 1998, my husband and I said goodbye to our corporate lives and moved with our two young children to the Southern ...
History Hunting in the Great Outdoors
With the start of summer the antiques trade traditionally moves business outdoors. Fields, fairgrounds, and outdoor venues, dormant through the winter months, and some even longer due to pandemic restrictions ...
Making Fashion History
Every year on the first Monday in May, everybody who’s anybody in the world of fashion and celebrity attends or watches on TV the famed Met Gala at the Metropolitan ...
The Evolution of Courtship
This past March saw new seasons of such fan-favorite period pieces as Bridgerton, The Gilded Age, and Sanditon return to television. Like many, I binge-watched each show, savoring the costumes ...
A New Shine on Old Glass
What more is there to say that’s new when it comes to glass? Especially antique and vintage glass? More than you would think. As it turns out, glass is trending ...
Barns: A Disappearing Icon on the American Landscape
Travel our country’s backroads and no doubt your view will include time-forgotten, weathered-worn barns, enduring symbols of America’s earliest settlement history. Once one of the most important structures on a ...
The stories behind a marginalized history
Leading the effort to publicly and historically recognize the achievements and contributions of African Americans was Carter G. Woodson (December 19, 1875 – April 3, 1950), known as the “father ...
Celebrating Art Deco in the 21st Century
While design and fashion are sometimes difficult to define and assign to an era, Art Deco is one style that is easily identifiable, whether it’s a building’s architecture, a piece ...
December 2021: Stylin’ in the 19th Century
We often hear the word “dandy” applied to wealthy, fastidiously dressed, 19th-century gentlemen unduly devoted to themselves, their image, and style, yet it seems an antique, ill-fitting designator to apply ...
A Lesson on the History of Desks
If you are one of those people who feel ‘any surface will do,’ then it might be hard to understand the writing desk culture, and the personal connection many people ...
Harvesting History: While seeds lie at the root of our national and international food supply and agricultural economy, technology continues to be the game-changer when it comes to planting and harvesting.
The legend of Johnny Appleseed as an American pioneer nurseryman who introduced apple trees to the Midwest and beyond is a uniquely American story that to this day continues to ...
A History of National Service: Over the past half-century, U.S. public policy has sought to increase the number of Americans engaged in service activities and volunteering.
In John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address on January 20, 1961, the President called on all Americans to commit themselves to service and sacrifice: “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not ...
Riding the Rails: Like the Internet in the second-half of the 20th century, trains were the major disrupter of the 19th century. They changed the way we brought our goods to market, where we lived, and how we traveled.
Like the Internet in the second half of the 20th century, trains were the major disrupter of the 19th century. They changed the way we brought our goods to market, ...
July Column: History Contained – A less literal, more ‘out-of-the-box’ interpretation of the topic
For this month’s theme, “History Contained,” we selected feature subjects that reflect a less literal, more ‘out-of-the-box’ interpretation of the topic beyond the obvious examples of antique and vintage general ...
Boardwalk Memories
Talk about boardwalks and almost everyone has a favorite and memories to share. Growing up in New York City and on Long Island, boardwalks were part of my everyday life ...
“Traveling Back in Time”: We drive forward from the 19th century to explore the impact and inspiration of automotive travel in America
It was a big country but prior to the 20th century, few knew from first-hand experience how big or what was out there. Traveling west and into the ...
In the Maker’s Hands: Connecting objects with their makers enhance our understanding of the antiques we value
At the heart of the items that we collect and admire are the stories behind their creation, craft, and use. While an object might bear the mark or label of ...
