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35th Annual Antiques Show

MUNCY, Pa. -- Muncy Historical Society's annual antique show, now in its 35th year, will be held from Friday, Aug. 8, 2008 – 5 to 8 PM and Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008 – 9 AM to 5 PM at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds. The $4 admission, with a hand stamp, is good for both days.

The indoor event, one of the oldest and finest antique shows in Lycoming County, is endorsed by the Pennsylvania Antique Dealers Association and will feature at least 50 juried vendors. On Saturday, Susan Pembleton will offer special Gem Identification for $5, as well as verbal insurance value appraisals.

Diversity, along with an emphasis on national history, enables Muncy to host a fine-quality Americana show. Visitors can find a selection of 18th and 19th century country furniture and primitives, American and English white ironstone, lighting, silver, china and glassware, estate jewelry, quilts and vintage linens, trains and toys, children’s books and games, stoneware and pottery, fine arts, collectibles, graniteware, postcards, military memorabilia and more.

The society initiated an antiques show as a fund raiser in 1973 to aid in the cleaning and repairing the Muncy Historical Society Museum of History after Hurricane Agnes caused the 1972 flood. The society continues to raise funds to restore the collection, and for the successful completion of a number of projects, including the Muncy Canal Heritage Park, the 8-Square School, the Civil War monument and the Last Raft Site.

Bill Poulton, antiques show manager, also is the president and executive director of the Muncy Historical Society. He serves as the spokesperson and fund-raising chairperson for many of the society's special projects and events. An antique collector for 30 years, he lives with his wife, Linda Fisher Poulton, in their restored 1848 farmhouse.

"As our largest fundraiser event, we have significant help from our volunteers who porter for the dealers and guests; they staff the admission and information booths; they coordinate the appraisal fair; and they design and manage our special exhibits," Poulton said.

Participation in the Muncy show is by invitation only. The show manager must have seen a vendor's product or the vendor must have been referred by a participating dealer or PADA member. To take part in this juried show, each exhibitor must adhere to the PADA code of ethics and not knowingly misrepresent any merchandise as to age, condition, authenticity or price. All merchandise must conform to the antiques (at least 100 years old) and collectibles (at least 50 years old) guidelines. (Sale of newer collectibles, craft items and reproductions is not allowed). Each item must be labeled or ticketed with an indication of the item’s time frame or authenticity and the item’s price. If an item is post-1950 but considered among collectors as rare and/or highly desirable, the item must be labeled with the time frame and authenticity.

Before the show opens on Friday, Aug. 8, each booth is juried by several non-show participant PADA members. Exhibitors must remove all items deemed objectionable by the jurors and show manager.

"One of the great things about a quality antiques show is that vendors cannot really duplicate merchandise," Poulton said. "Also, we do not emphasize one antique over another but look to offer our guests as much variety as possible so that our show has broad-based appeal to a spectrum of antiques collectors, other antique dealers and the general public."

Many dealers have displayed at the show for years and, at their request, the historical society maintains their booth positions. Each year, however, new dealers join the show and they are placed with particular attention to the neighboring booths' offerings.

According to Poulton, there are a number of reasons why people should plan to attend the show. "While we could put twice as many dealers in the main building we choose to limit the booths to afford our guests every opportunity to see all the antiques and to talk with our dealers. Dealer booths are much larger than one normally finds at shows of this caliber and the aisles are intentionally spacious to allow for free-flowing traffic both in and out of the booths," he said.

Since both the historical society and PADA share an educational initiative, dealers at the show are attuned to spending time with their customers to educate, explain and share information. The show includes a number of exhibits and displays and there are craftspeople located throughout the buildings, demonstrating.

"Because we are a juried show, our customers can feel comfortable knowing that non-exhibiting PADA members have evaluated the merchandise in each booth. These jurors are hand-selected because they are particularly knowledgeable about a variety of antiques, have a reputation of fairness and honesty and are considered by their peers to be leaders in their profession," Poulton said. "And, unlike many shows today, we do not allow special sales promotion (signs, banners, etc.) and we do prohibit pre-show buying among the dealers or show volunteers."

"What makes this special for the historical society are the other non-profit relationships that have come with the show’s expansion. Along with the PADA, the Lion’s Club and the East Lycoming Farm and Heritage organizations provide food services for our attendees," Poulton said. "And, our volunteers have a blast. Our dealers and guests have become friends and have many good things to say about their experiences at our show. Our dealers have told us that this is the only show that they attend where customers stay for hours and thoroughly enjoy themselves."

The 35th annual Antiques Show is held at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds (Exit 31B off Rte. I-80, I-180 west to Exit 13B, Route 405 to Hughesville, PA). More information is available by calling the Muncy Historical Society at 546-5917.

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Murray Brown House Bed & Breakfast
The Murray Brown House is a private home from the late Victorian Era located on Main Street in the midst of the historic district. Currently, on the first floor, it boasts a cozy sitting room, a formal dining room, a large kitchen, a powder room and a large living room with windows on three sides, which will be dedicated to scrap booking and quilting. The large center hall foyer leads to the turned stairway and to the second floor, which has four bedrooms and two full baths. There are many fine restaurants within walking distance that serve excellent food and spirits, and many more within a short drive.

Creekview Country Cottages Bed & Breakfast
Creekview Country Cottages B&B is a romantic and interesting hideaway with a "Green" attitude. Located in eastern Lycoming County, North Central Pennsylvania, it is the perfect retreat for nature lovers and couples seeking privacy in a woodsy natural setting. There is a variety of birds, deer, turkey, fox, hawks and other wild creatures. Even with all this nature nearby, we are not far from many local attractions: Walking in the Town of Muncy, Muncy Historical Society, Ricketts Glen State Park, Lycoming County Fair.

Governor Shulze House Bed & Breakfast
Built by Pennsylvania Governor John A. Shulze in the 1830's, the Governor Shulze House in Montoursville, PA, has been restored to its original splendor, and affords guests the beauty and charm of the Victorian era today.

Bodine House Bed & Breakfast
The Bodine House Bed and Breakfast is located on a tree-lined street in historic Muncy, Pennsylvania in the Susquehanna River Valley, about 10 minutes drive from Interstate 80 via Interstate 180. Built in 1805, The Bodine House has been authentically restored and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of the furnishings throughout the house are antiques.

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Regular Hours: Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
March through November ** except holidays **
and by special appointment.
Hours are subject to change
Check schedule by calling (570)546-5917