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Antiques Roadshow Appraiser Part of BRAHM Fundraiser

Art and Antiques Show in Blowing Rock July 31 to August 3

Story by Anna Oakes About 840 people attended last year’s A Celebration of Art and Antiques show and sale, a fundraiser for the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum. The event takes place this year Thursday to Sunday, July 31 to August 3, at the Blowing Rock Elementary School gym.

Described by PBS as “one of the nation’s most active and knowledgeable arms and militaria authorities,” Christopher Mitchell, an appraiser on the TV network’s popular Antiques Roadshow, will stop by Blowing Rock to give a lecture during A Celebration of Art and Antiques, taking place Thursday, July 31, through Sunday, August 3.

Mitchell is the leading expert on American and foreign military items spanning the periods of 1750 to 1945 and is highly regarded for his understanding of the period pertaining to the American Revolution through the American Civil War. He has collected and has specialized in Confederate and Civil War items for more than 25 years and serves as a frequent consultant to museums, auction houses and the nation’s leading collectors of militaria from all wars.

Mitchell’s lecture on Civil War militaria will take place on Saturday, August 2, at 3:00 p.m. in the Blowing Rock Elementary School auditorium.

A Celebration of Art and Antiques is the second annual fundraiser for the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum. The event, held at the Blowing Rock Elementary School gym on Morris Street in Blowing Rock, will offer a grand selection of art and antiques from 20 dealers across the East Coast.

The event begins with a Silver Tea and Early Bird Sale on Thursday, July 31, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The Early Bird Sale is available to those seeking the best selection of the weekend, and tickets are $25 per person. Reservations are requested.

On Friday and Saturday, August 1 and 2, sale hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Sunday, August 3, hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets for the entire three-day show, excluding the Early Bird Sale, are $10 per person.
The antiques available for sale include silver, mountain furniture, pottery, jewelry, clocks, rugs, crystal, garden items, linens, tapestries and artwork, said Joann Mitchell, executive director of BRAHM.

“[The antiques range from] all prices, from the sublime to the ridiculous—some very expensive and some affordable,” Mitchell said.

Founded in 1999 in response to a generous offer of Elliott Daingerfield artwork, BRAHM is a nonprofit organization located in Blowing Rock. The organization has plans to construct a new museum facility in downtown Blowing Rock, with groundbreaking scheduled to take place later this year.

Tickets to A Celebration of Art and Antiques are available at the door or at Finley House Antiques and Carriage Trade Antiques on Main Street. Parking is available at the show.

For more info, call 828-295-9099 or click to www.blowingrockmuseum.org.

Want To Go?

Date: Thursday to Sunday, July 31 to August 3
Time: 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday/10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday/11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday
Location: Blowing Rock Elementary School gym
Cost: $25 Thursday/$10 Friday to Sunday