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Muncy to Host Annual Antique Show
Vendors Need to Apply Early for Juried Event
MUNCY, Pa. -- Muncy Historical Society's annual antique show, now
in its 34th year, will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 11, 2007,
and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 12, 2007, at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds.
The $4 admission, with a hand stamp, is good for both days.
The indoor event, the oldest and finest antique show in Lycoming
County, is endorsed by the Pennsylvania Antique Dealers Association
and will feature at least 50 juried vendors.
It's this diversity along with an emphasis on national history that
enables Muncy to host a fine-quality Americana show. One can find
an excellent 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 much more.
Hosting an antiques show as a fund raiser was initiated in 1973
by members of the society to defer the cost of 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 story.
Bill Poulton, the 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 holds a Pennsylvania Auctioneer’s license and 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 Saturday, Aug. 11, 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, MHS maintains their booth positions. Each year, however,
the society introduces new dealers to the show and they are placed
with particular attention to the neighboring booths' offerings.
There are a number of reasons why people should plan to attend the
show, Poulton said.
"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."
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 chair caning, spinning
and such.
Like the Muncy Historical Society, PADA also is a volunteer, non-profit
corporation that shares an educational initiative. PADA offers informative
workshops and business seminars for antiques collectors, dealers
and the public and their members, who are certified appraisers,
manage the show’s appraisal fair.
"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."
The appraisal fair on Sunday, Aug. 13, is an educational event and
an opportunity for people to better appreciate a family heirloom
or that antique they may have picked up a local garage sale or flea
market. It’s not just about value – the appraisers also
answer questions about proper care techniques. The appraisal fair
is often as interesting, and educational, to the viewers as it is
to the owners of the appraised items.
Educational exhibits on display will include a World War II Savings
Bond Poster Campaign and a viewing of "The Last Raft"
documentary.
According to Poulton, it's exhilarating that the show has grown
from a one day event at the local elementary school with limited
exhibit space and no parking and into a two-day show at the county
fairgrounds, which provides expanded exhibit space and virtually
unlimited free parking.
"What helps to make this special for the historical society
is the partnering with 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. They love our dealers and our guests
have become friends and have had nothing but 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."
Please join us at the 34th annual Antiques Show, Lycoming County's
oldest and finest antiques event 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.
Dig Personnel
Meet the archaeologists, students and volunteers working at the
Muncy Canal site
Dig Diaries
Participate in the exciting discoveries by reading the latest from
the field
Ask an Archaeologist
Visit our FAQs page to get answers to all your questions about the
dig
The Archaeologist's Toolbox
Learn about the tools we use before, during, and after excavations
Archaeology for Kids
Here are a few games and puzzles to help young children and students
learn about archaeology
Upcoming Events
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taking part in one of our programs
Media Coverage
Read all about it! Public Radio, local newspapers, Web 'zines and
television newscasts investigate The Muncy Heritage Park and Nature
Trail
Join the Society
Want to help with the Archaeology Dig? Become a member of the Muncy
Historical Society
Muncy Historical Society
Visit the Muncy Historical Society's Web site
Robin
Van Auken, archaeologist for the project
Meet Robin Van Auken and find out more about the field school she
teaches for Lycoming College
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