Brandywine River Museum to Host 38th Annual Antiques Show May 23-25

Chadds Ford, PA (Vocus) April 1, 2009 -- Thirty-one of the nation's most outstanding antique dealers will showcase a variety of American and English furniture, glass, metalware, ceramics folk art, quilts, Oriental and European porcelain, rugs, and other fine collectibles at the 38th Annual Brandywine River Museum Antiques Show (http://www.armacostantiquesshows.com) on Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25. Show hours are 10 am to 5 pm daily.

Dealers (http://www.armacostantiquesshows.com) participating in the event include Mark & Marjorie Allen, American Decorative Arts, Irvin & Dolores Boyd, Brill's Antiques, Peter W. Chillingworth, Harold E. Cole/Bettina Krainin, Douglas Constant, Davis-O’Reilly Antiques, Dongan Collection, Dubey’s Art & Antiques, Emele’s Antiques, Fiske & Freeman, Tucker Frey Antiques, The Hanebergs Antiques, Hanes & Ruskin, Heller Washam Antiques, Kemble’s Antiques, Leather Bucket, Lovrinic Antiques, Jane McClafferty Antiques, Aileen Minor Antiques, The Norwoods’ Spirit of America, Charles Edwin Puckett, Rutabaga Pie Antiques, Saje Americana, Shaia Oriental Rugs of Williamsburg, Ed Weissman, Antiquarian, Windle’s Antiques, Roger D. Winter, Michael J. Whitman Antiques and R. M. Worth Antiques.

Several dealers (http://www.armacostantiquesshows.com) will share their "Passion for Collecting" through special talks in their booths. Topics include antiques for the garden, the differences between New England and Mid-Atlantic furniture, the origin of the looking glass, and collecting folk art. These 30-minute talks are free with admission and will take place on Sunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25 at 11 am, 11:45 am, 12:30 pm and 1:15 pm.

The exhibition Everyman's Metal: 17th-, 18th-and 19th-Century Pewter in America will go on view in conjunction with the antiques show. Buttons, buckles, dishes, lamps, cups, cutlery, cuspidors and chamber pots formed from this versatile metal will be on display in this exhibition, which explores the integral part pewter played in most early American households.

The always lively Preview Party takes place on Friday, May 22, from 6 to 9 pm. The evening features a wonderful array of food, including carving stations, seafood bar, and sushi center, as well as jazz selections performed by "First Choice.” Tickets cost $125 per person ($50 tax deductible) and $100 ($25 tax deductible) for “Young Collectors" ages 35 and under. The cost includes valet parking, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, music, and show admission.

On Saturday, May 23, Wayne Hilt, a pewter restorer, appraiser and collector, will share his expertise and lead a tour of the exhibition. Richard Graver, a West Chester pewter maker, will also speak about pewter manufacturing. The tour, which begins at 9:30 am, is preceded by a continental breakfast in the museum restaurant at 9 am. The $25 fee includes the tour, breakfast and admission to the antiques show. Space is limited and reservations are required.

Bessemer Trust Company of Delaware, NA is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2009 antiques show. Media Sponsors are The Hunt, Delaware Today and Main Line Today. Corporate Sponsors are Pearl Pressman Liberty Communications Group, Everything but the Kitchen Sink, Back Burner Restaurant, Inn at Montchanin Village, and Krazy Kat's.

The antiques show (http://www.armacostantiquesshows.com) is hosted by the Museum Volunteers and all proceeds benefit their Art Purchase Fund, which has added more than 200 paintings, drawings and prints to the museum's holdings since 1975.

Admission to the antiques show (http://www.armacostantiquesshows.com) is $12 per person. For information or to make reservations for the Friday Preview Party or the Saturday morning event, please call 610-388-8318 or visit www.brandywinemuseum.org.

The Brandywine River Museum is located on US Route 1 in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. The museum is open daily, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, except Christmas Day. For more information, visit the museum's website at www.brandywinemuseum.org or call 610-388-2700.

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