Monthly Calendar

30th Annual Baltimore Summer Antiques Show—Indoor antiques show featuring more than 550 international exhibitors and a 70 dealer Antiquarian Book Fair. Located at the Baltimore Convention Center. For more information: Palm Beach Show Group, (561) 822-5440.

September 4 in Rolling Prairie, Indiana:

Prairie Pride Harvest Market—A summer’s bounty of folk art, crafts, antiques, and garden goods, this country market features vendor booths situated inside a handcrafted barn, on the spacious porch, and on the landscaped grounds of Fawn Run Farm. Strolling minstrels provide free entertainment. Free parking. Refreshments available. For more information: Fawn Run Farm 3883 E. 700 N., (219) 778-2809.

September 4 to September 5 in Springfield, Ohio:

Fair at New Boston—Th Fair at New Boston takes you back to the time of the 1790’s to the 1810’s. Visit artisans and merchants, watch an 18th Century play "The Guardian", visit the Woodland Indian Village, a battle reenactment, and more. For more information: Fair at New Boston, (937) 882-9216.

September 4 in Stephens City, Virginia:

Shooner Redware—New Redware from Greg and Mary Shooner. For more information: Valley Furniture Country Interiors, (540) 869-2121.

September 5 to September 7 in Baker City, Oregon:

Bullwhackin’ Kass and her Oxen—Sheryl Curtis will appear as “Bullwhackin’ Kass” with her team of oxen. Curtis gives brief demonstrations of how the massive draft animals take commands for basic tasks and answers questions about frontier teamsters and early freighting. The six foot tall oxen, though large and intimidating, love to be petted by visitors and enjoy posing for photographs with children. For more information: National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, (541) 523-1843.

September 5 in Ft. Howard, Maryland:

Defender’s Day—Celebration of the 196th Anniversary of the Battle of North Point. Experience 1814 living history, crafts, and battle re-enactments. At Fort Howard Park (Patapsco Neck). For more information: Dundalk Patapsco Neck Historical Society and Museum, (410) 284-2331.

September 6 in Hudson, Ohio:

29th Annual Western Reserve Academy Antiques Festival—This show has over 100 dealers selling 18th and 19th-Century furniture, folk art, ceramics, pewter, textiles, garden statuary, and more. For more information: Western Reserve Academy, (330) 650-6180.

September 7 to September 12 in Brimfield, Massachusetts:

Brimfield Antique Show—Starting in the 1950’s, the Brimfiled Antique Show has become one of the largest in the country with over 6,000 dealers selling their furniture, collectibles, and more. For more information: Brimfield Antique Show, (413) 283-2418.

ON-GOING EXHIBITIONS

Now through November 15 in Williamsburg, Virginia:

Werowocomoco: Seat of Power—Werowocomoco was the principal residence of Powhatan, the chief of approximately 30 tribes in Virginia’s coastal region when the English landed at Jamestown. Recent archaeological excavations show the site pre-dated Powhatan as a political and social center. The exhibition displays artifacts recovered from the site and examines the relationship between material culture and political authority in the region from prehistoric times through the early 1600s. For more information: Jamestown Settlement, (888) 593-4682.

Now through February 6, 2011 in Washington, District of Columbia:

Written in Bone: Forensic Files of the 17th-Century Chesapeake—The exhibition examines history through 17th-Century bone biographies, including those of colonists fighting to survive at Jamestown, Virginia, and those in the wealthy and well-established settlement of St. Mary’s City, Maryland. Exhibition topics include life and death in the colonies, activity and physical labor, health and disease, dietary resources, internal strife, and the effects of colonization on Europeans, Native Americans, and Africans. For more information: National Museum of Natural History

Now through December 31 in Charlottesville, Virginia:

Making Monticello: Jeffersons ‘Experiment in Architecture’—The exhibition in the recently opened Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center and Smith Education Center explores the architectural origins, construction, and evolution of the home Jefferson built. The designs changed over time, from the first house erected in 1770 to the completion of the house and its dependencies in 1809. It also examines the enslaved and free workers who performed the myriad tasks required to build the house. On display are drafting instruments, architectural references, Jeffersons drawings and notebooks, and three detailed models of the structure. In the David Bruce Smith Gallery. For more information: Monticello, (434) 984-9822.

Now through January 2, 2011 in Williamsburg, Virginia:

Pottery with a Past: Stoneware in Early America—More than 300 intact objects and archaeological fragments show the diversity of drinking, dining, and storage vessels available to Americans from the first English settlements through 1800. First made in Germany in the Middle Ages, salt-glazed stoneware vessels were suited for preparing and storing various liquids and foodstuffs. Potters in England and then American soon developed their own wares. At the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. For more information: Colonial Williamsburg, (800) 447-8679.

Now through September 26 in Bedford, Pennsylvania:

Stay at Home and Use Me Well—On Saturday, a symposium by national textiles experts explores such topics as the development of American spinning wheels, European linen production, and Pennsylvania German household textiles. The exhibition opens Sunday with displays of the tools and processes used in home linen and wool production in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries. The museum also celebrates the 150 anniversary of the sites construction. Symposium registration required. For more information: National Museum of the Coverlet, (814) 623-1588.

Now through September 6 in Sturbridge, Massachusetts:

Convenient and Fashionable: Furniture of Inland Massachusetts 1790-1830—The exhibition highlights work by both well-known and newly discovered furniture makers in rural Massachusetts. The pieces on displlay were chosen for their provenance as well as the intricacies of their craftsmanship. Many are marked by their makers, and many have documented histories of ownership tracing back to the buyers who acquired them and those who inherited them. On October 24, master furniture maker Norm Abram, host of the PBS Television series The New Yankee Workshop, hosts a brunch and book signing. Registration required for brunch with Abram. For more information: Old Sturbridge Village, (800) 733-1830.

Now through December 31 in Saco, Maine:

A Factory Girl Boardinghouse Bedchamber—The permanent exhibition at the Saco Museum offers a glimpse into the lives of early-19th-Century factory girls, who came from farms throughout New England to work in the textile mills. These women were also active consumers. The artifacts displayed include period furniture, textiles, loom shuttles, letters, photographs, and sensational fiction. A dress-up trunk allows visitors to experience the fashion of the 1840s and 1850s. For more information: Saco Museum, (207) 283-3861.

Now through December 31 in Mount Vernon, Virginia:

Blacksmith Program—Visitors can watch a blacksmith produce the same kind of household and agricultural items George Washington used in the 18th Century. Demonstrations are given in the new Blacksmith Shop, reconstructed after years of research and archaeology on the type of shop that operated during Washingtons time. For more information: George Washingtons Mount Vernon, (703) 780-2000.

Now through January 8, 2012 in Mount Vernon, Virginia:

Bringing Them Home: 150 Years of Restoring the Washington Collection—The exhibition, which commemorates the site’s 150th anniversary of being open to the public, traces the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association’s efforts to return original Washington artifacts to his home. Objects they have returned, such as fine and decorative arts, books, and manuscripts, enrich our understanding of George and Martha Washington’s daily lives at Mount Vernon. Most of these objects are exhibited for the first time, and many have not been at Mount Vernon since the Washingtons lived here. In the F.M. Kirby Gallery, Donald W. Reynolds Museum. For more information: Mount Vernon, 70378802000.

Now through April 30, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

Informed by Fire: Highlights of American Ceramics—In the past three centuries, artists from the United States have contributed to the rich ceramic tradition. A selection from the museum’s collection shows the variety of forms, surface decoration, and use of glaze for color, combined with science and skill. For more information: Philadelphia Museum of Art, (215) 684-7364.

Now through December 31 in Salem, Massachusetts:

Fish, Silk, Tea, Bamboo: Cultivating an Image of China—Through delicate works on paper and other select objects, the exhibition explores the four essential motifs Westerners often associate with China. Each was cultivated for artistic expression as well as profit, and all helped shape the emerging concept of the Middle Kingdom in 18th-Century Europe. For more information: Peabody Essex Museum, (866) 745-1876.

Now through October 31 in Morristown, New Jersey:

Mr. Morristown’s Museum: W. Parsons Todd and 60 Years of Macculloch Hall—The exhibition, held in conjunction with the museum’s 60th anniversary, explores how Todd, a passionate collector of 18th- and 19th-Century decorative arts, transformed the home, built in 1810, into a museum. The evolution is shown in photographs, documents, plans, and objects in the museum’s collection. For more information: Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, (973) 538-2404.

Now through September 18 in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania:

In Praise of Dutchy Quilts—By the end of the 19th Century, quilting had become a significant part of the Pennsylvania German culture, thanks in part to the availability of synthetic dyes and inexpensive, mass-produced fabrics. The exhibition examines the elements that characterize quilts as "Dutchy"—the use of vibrant and sometimes unconventional color choices and traditional fraktur motifs. For more information: Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, (215) 679-3103.

Now through December 31 in Cooperstown, New York:

Empire Waists, Bustles & Lace: A Century of New York Fashion—The exhibition at the Fenimore Art Museum explores how events of the 19th Century affected how Americans defined themselves through fashion. Even in frontier areas, New York citizens were active participants in the politically informed, ever-changing world of fashion. For more information: Fenimore Art Museum, (888) 547-1450.

Now through November 6 in Newport, Rhode Island:

Doris Duke’s Extraordinary Vision: Saving 18th-Century Newport—When Doris Duke inherited her family’s summer home, Rough Point, it inspired her to save Newport’s colonial homes. Over the course of nearly 40 years, her passion for preservation led to the rescue of more than 80 historic homes. At Rough Point. For more information: Newport Restoration Foundation, (401) 847-8344.

Now through October 31 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

Art in Revolutionary Philadelphia—As the political climate in Philadelphia grew increasingly charged throughout the 1770s, art became currency. Th exhibition enables visitors to consider the unexpected roles art played in the lives of individuals and families during the American Revolution. For more information: Philadelphia Museum of Art, (215) 684-7364.

Now through October 30 in Schenectady, New York:

Faces of Schenectady 1715-1750: Portraiture in a Dutch Town—Celebrating the gift of the portrait of Laurens Claus Van der Volgen who was taken prisoner by the French during the 1690 "Schenectady Massacre," returned to Schenectady ten years later and became interpreter for the New York Province. This exhibit will include (for the first time) eight portraits and nine high quality images of Schenectady residents from the first half of the 18th century as well as artifacts and paintings reflecting the lives of these individuals. For more information: Schenectady County Historical Society, (518) 374-0263.

Now through October 24 in Shelburne, Vermont:

Upon a Painted Ocean—The exhibition examines the development of a native style of marine painting when colonial ship owners commissioned artists to paint their vessels and port to the flourishing of such artists as Martin Johnson Heade and Fitz Henry Lane in the mid-1800s and the short-lived style of luminism. For more information: Shelburne Museum, (802) 985-3346.

Now through October 24 in Shelburne, Vermont:

Embellishments: The Art of the Crazy Quilt—The exhibition highlights 19 examples of Victorian quilts from the museum’s collection, including new acquisitions never shown. The quilts, meant for display rather than use, featured asymmetrical pieces of various fabrics embellished with embroidery, paints, and beads. For more information: Shelburne Museum, (802) 985-3346.

Now through September 6 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin:

American Quilts: Selections from the Winterthur Collection—This collection features more than 40 quilts drawn from Winterthur’s collection of over 300. Explore how quilts were made to commemorate major life events for individuals, families, and even communities. These quilts were passed down through generations and document woman’s political, social, and cultural life in the early American republic. For more information: Milwaukee Art Museum, (414) 224-3200.

Now through October 30 in Somerset, Pennsylvania:

Woven Wonders: Somerset County Coverlets—This exhibit features more than twenty coverlets from the Historical Society’s permanent collection. The coverlets include signed Lewis Weighly and William S. Morgan coverlets, along with many unsigned coverlets that were made and used in Somerset County that offer a look into 19th Century life in the county. A color catalog will be available for purchase featuring all of the coverlets in the collection. For more information: Somerset Historical Center, (814) 445-6077.

Now through October 8 in Bridgton, Maine:

Schoolgirl Decorative Arts—This is a special loan exhibit of 50 original decorative art pieces created by schoolgirls in the early 1800’s. There are both simple, beginning pieces as well as advanced pieces that demonstrate freehand watercolors, theorems, memorials, needlecraft, samplers, valentines, and friendship tokens. Classes and discussions will be offered on the history of schoolgirl art and the role it played in advancing the desire for decorative arts in everyday life. For more information: The Rufus Porter Museum and Cultural Heritage Center, (207) 647-2828.

Now through October 31 in Schenectady, New York:

Faces of Schenectady: 1715 - 1750—Portraits by three famous limners (Nehemia Partridge, Pieter Vanderlyn, and John Heaton) give a glimpse at the faces that led Schenectady in the first half of the 18th century. Along with portraits of the Glen and Sanders family, the Becks, Veeders,Van Eps Pieterse, Van Slyke, and Swarths, artifacts related to the residents are displayed. The exhibit also is the first time to see the painting of the important colonial interpreter and Schenectady Massacre survivor Laurens Claese Van Der Volgen as well his copy of the Mohawk Prayer Book which he translated and less than 10 copies are known to have survived. For more information: Schenectady County Historical Society, (518) 374-0263.

Now through October 31 in Newport, Rhode Island:

Handwritten History: Correspondence of Great Americans—This exhibit will feature large-scale reproductions of eleven letters and documents from Newport Historical Society’s collection, all by or about famous individuals or events in American history. Authors include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and more. The exhibit is shown at the 1739 Colony House on Washington Square. For more information: Newport Historical Society, 4018460813x104.

Now through October 17 in Lowell, Massachusetts:

Contemporary Broderie Perse: An Elegant Revival—Combining collage, fine appliqué, and fine quilting, broderie perse, also known as cut-out chintz appliqué, presents a high point in the art of quilting and deserves the admiration and attention of all who appreciate fine needlework. The technique emerged in the late eighteenth century when chintz fabrics were very expensive and only the very wealthy could afford whole cloth bed coverings made from large pieces of chintz. By cutting motifs out of a small amount of fabric, the quilter could rearrange them onto a large field of inexpensive plain cotton to imitate the designs on larger fabrics. For more information: The New England Quilt Museum, (978) 452-4207.

Now through December 3 in Newport, Rhode Island:

Dressing Manifest Destiny: Men—This exhibit in the restored 1730 Seventh Day Baptist Meeting House in the Historical Society headquarters building features items from the Society’s costume and image collections. Learn how changes leading up to the Civil War led masculine dress to resemble what is worn formally today. Articles include working clothing, formal wear, and military dress. For more information: Newport Historical Society, (401) 846-0813.

Now through April 2, 2011 in Kennebunk, Maine:

In the Maine Stream—Featuring the Museum’s own circa 1899 Wabanaki birch bark canoe and an array of vintage paddles and oars on loan from the private collection of Kate Manko, In the Maine Stream is equal parts history, art, and nostalgia. Reflect upon Kennebunkport’s Indian Village at the turn of the 20th century, the makings of a birchbark canoe, and the canoeing traditions on the Kennebunk River. Appreciate the utilitarian simplicity of the hand-crafted wooden paddles, many of which are painted in a folk art tradition with scenes, monograms and names conjuring up images of Maine’s natural beauty. Sponsored by Cape Arundel Inn. For more information: Brick Store Museum, (207) 985-4802.

Now through September 9 in Concord, New Hampshire:

New Hampshire Furniture Makers Exhibition—The New Hampshire Furniture Masters celebrates its 15th year with its annual exhibition and an opening reception on August 12. At the New Hampshire Historical Society. For more information: New Hampshire Historical Society, (603) 228-6688.

LATER THIS MONTH

s September 10 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Walk with Washington

s September 10 to September 12 in Jefferson, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival

s September 11 in Lincoln, Massachusetts: Annual Fine Arts and Crafts Festival

s September 11 in St. Mary's City , Rt. 5, Maryland: Woodland Indian Discover Day

s September 11 to September 12 in Statesville, North Carolina: Diversions of the 18th Century Soldier

s September 11 in Waldorf, Maryland: Annual Doll Show and Sale

s September 11 in Waldorf, Maryland: Southern Maryland Doll Club Annual Doll Show & Sale

s September 11 in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania: French & Indian War Seminars

s September 11 in East Berlin, Pennsylvania: 36th Colonial Day

s September 11 in Tamworth, New Hampshire: Historic Tea

s September 11 in Westminster, Maryland: Antiques Appraisal Day