The Madison Historical Society Antiques Fair, its largest annual fundraiser, was established in 1972 with the goal of being the best antiques show in an outdoor venue. Now celebrating its fortieth year in 2011, the fair will be produced by Cord Shows, Limited, of Armonk, NY, with the support of Society member volunteers. Created by Vivien Cord, who has produced antiques shows and juried arts and crafts fairs since 1970, Cord Shows benefits from the partnered experience of both Vivien Cord and Ed McClure. They have invited many new exhibitors to join the many long-time exhibitors our visitors have enjoyed in the past.

With approximately 90 outstanding antiques exhibitors from the Northeast, New York State, the mid-Atlantic states, and Florida, the fair offers eighteenth- and nineteenth-century American and European furniture; silver; porcelains; rugs; wicker; prints; clocks; architectural design furnishings; country collectibles; 16th-19th-century maps of local, state and international interest; Audubon bird prints and natural history prints; oil lamps; chintz; 1930s-1950s kitchenware, pantry goods, and barware; vintage toys; sterling flatware and hollowware; fine linens and textiles; painted cottage furniture; Canton and Chinese Export goods; 18th C. cookware; bamboo; cut glass; Hall pottery; Fenton glass; late 18th-early 19th-century furniture; country store items; antique bottles; tins and tools; yellow ware and sponge ware; vintage designer handbags; vintage clothing, shoes and hats; Bakelite and designer costume jewelry; antique jewelry; Oriental carpets; country furniture in paint and original finish; vintage garden and patio furniture and accessories; lighting; books; vintage bottles and CT milk bottles; painted Mid-Century French furniture; Victorian and vintage cast and wrought iron; Colonial arms and accoutrements; mid-20th-century Modern furniture; woodenware; wire baskets; advertising; boxes; primitives; ironstone; galvanized tubs and laundry items; early Americana including that of local interest; paintings; children’s collectibles; nautical/marine antiques and fine art; Victorian folk art; and shell art.

An innovation in 2008, Booth Chats are now a staple of this unique fair. These lively and educational fifteen- to thirty-minute seminar-style conversations provide visitors with an opportunity to be introduced to or to learn more about a particular category of antiques. The booth chats are scheduled in such a way that visitors can attend more than one chat. Featured exhibitors scheduled for booth chats in 2011 are Diana Onyshkewych of Andrij Roman Antiques; Peter and Trish Manfredi of Domestic Cow Antiques, artist and art restorer Jeffrey Damberg, and Lima and Joe Spaider of Iron Renaissance of Damariscotta, Maine. To learn more about our 2011 Booth Chats, please click here. Visitors may also bring chairs needing repair to exhibitor Bob Gordon, of Saratoga Springs, New York, who will accept chair caning work and furniture re-gluing. Jeff Damberg will also accept art restoration projects. George Neumann will sign his books on Revolutionary War history and weaponry.

As is traditional, the Fair features a sidewalk cafe, which offers a variety of delicious foods from Catered by James. We will also have kettle corn booth for tasty popped corn snacks.

Don't miss the Madison Historical Society booth, located near the Church Entrance Gate. There you will find MHS membership information, Historical Happenings newsletters, and materials about the MHS Historic Building Plaque Program. Books on Madison history are also available for purchase here.

Just steps from the Fair is the MHS's historical Lee Academy, home now to both the MHS administrative offices and its exhibition gallery. From 11:00 to 4:00 p.m., drop by our summer exhibition, Madison in the Civil War: At Home and At Arms, which features fascinating exhibits and artifacts from Madison's role in the Civil War.

The Fortieth Annual Madison Historical Society Antiques Fair committee also wishes to acknowledge and express its gratitude for the generous sponsorship of Vision Assets Management LLC and William Pitt/Sotheby's International Realty.

Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., rain or shine
Date: The Saturday before Labor Day weekend (August 27, 2011)
Admission Fee: $7.00 ($6 with discount coupon or newspaper ad); children twelve and under are free.
Location: Madison Town Green; parking is available around the green.
Directions: I-95 North or South to Exit 61. Travel south on CT State Route 79 (Durham Road) to US Route 1 (Boston Post Road). Take a right turn on US Route 1 and travel a short distance to the west, to the Madison Town Green, bounded by the Boston Post Road, Meetinghouse Lane, and Copse Road.
Please, No Pets.

For a printable ad, which will serve as your discount coupon, please click here.

For information on advertising and sponsorship opportunities in the MHS Antiques Fair program book, please click here.

For Antiques Fair program booklet ad forms, please click here.

Exhibitor inquiries are welcome. Please visit www.CordShows.com or call Cord Shows at 914-273-4667. For other concerns or questrions, please call the MHS at (203) 245-4567 or contact the fair manager by email. Contact the fair manager by email.