WILLIAMSBURG — Over the next couple weeks, “Antiques Roadshow” might look familiar.

The hit public television program stopped at Colonial Williamsburg in September while filming its 26th season. Hopefuls showed up with their treasures and met with independent dealers and experts from leading auction houses to learn more about their items and possible market value.

Segments were filmed in the historic area and the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg.

The first hourlong episode aired May 9 on WHRO-TV, Channel 15. The others will air at 8 p.m. on May 16 and 23. The episodes are also being streamed on WHRO Passport. Viewers can get a sneak peek at a guide on WHRO’s website.

“Colonial Williamsburg is such a fabulous location for a roadshow,” said Sam Farrell, senior producer, in a preview clip. People can be seen sitting beside white picket fences and showing off items such as furniture and an old map.

“It’s a fabulous location in its own right, but it speaks to American history.”

Michael Bertoia, left, appraised a Gottschalk dollhouse, circa 1885-86, in Williamsburg. He told the owner that Gottschalks are, “In my opinion, the finest of dollhouses ever made.” In original condition, a house like this could today fetch between $20,000 and $25,000. The value of this one? Find the clip on PBS.org or get it, and the owner’s identity, in Hour 2 of “Antiques Roadshow, Colonial Williamsburg” at 8 p.m. May 16. (Katherine Nelson Hall, courtesy WGBH)

To earn a chance to have their items appraised, aspiring participants competed in a contest, submitting photos and descriptions of their items for producers to review. Those who were chosen garnered an invitation to participate in one of five production locations around the country, including Williamsburg. About 4,500 people applied to have an item appraised on the Colonial Williamsburg episodes, with about 85 people receiving an invitation to film.

“Antiques Roadshow and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation are a wonderful pairing,” said Ronald Hurst, Colonial Williamsburg’s Carlisle H. Humelsine chief curator and vice president for museums, preservation and historic resources.

“We both use material culture to bring history to life. Objects tell the stories of our past, whether in Williamsburg’s historic buildings and museums or in the family home. Having the opportunity to bring that magic to millions of viewers through a television program is fantastic.”

Among the treasures found during filming were an early 20th century Tiffany & Co. brooch, a Tibetan bronze Buddha dating to the 17th century and a Marvel Silver Age comics collection. One of the items appraised was valued at up to $125,000.

“There’s always some enjoyable moment,” Farrell said in the preview clip. “There’s a human story in every single roadshow that someone can relate to.”

Sian Wilkerson, sian.wilkerson@pilotonline.com, 757-342-6616

from:www.pilotonline.com

published 2022-05-20 22:02:23