Tradition with a twist

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on May 25, 2015

The Brandywine River Museum held its annual Antique Show during the Memorial Day weekend, but there was a bit of a twist in the form of a makeover.

Instead of antique dealers set up in the second and third floor galleries, they and their merchandise were in the main hallways of the atrium.

There were mixed reviews for the new set up, but most of the comments were favorable.

A few visitors didn’t like the idea, saying they felt it was too congested and that “it’s not the way it was.”

Others, especially museum personnel and dealers, liked the new layout.

William Schwind Jr., from Yarmouth, Maine said the change was a great idea. Previously, the dealers were in the galleries and the food was in the hallways.

But, with dealers and food in the hallways, “People are forced to be in the booths with us. The food is almost in the booths,” Schwind said.

He expected better business, more sales, with sellers and potential buyers in closer contact.

James Lowery, of Baldwinsville, N.Y., agreed with Schwind that the new layout was better.

One dealer, Ed Weissman, of Naples, Fla., said he’d take a wait and see attitude.

All three of those dealers have been at the annual event before and said it’s a great venue. In all, there were 31 dealers on hand.

As for folks from the museum, they really liked the change.

Museum Director Tom Padon said it was a great way to keep the galleries open in the weeks prior to and during the antiques show. He said they were able to have school groups tour the museum even days before the show, something that wasn’t possible with the old set up.

Virginia Logan, the executive director of the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art, called it a “win/win” situation.

The annual show benefits the Museum Volunteers’ Art Purchase Fund, and art education and other funding. In the 44 years the museum has held the event, almost $1 million have been raised.

(Photo: Antiques and dealers set up in the hallway of the Brandywine Museum of Art's atrium during the Memorial Day antique show.)

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.