TRAPPE, PA.- Historic Trappe announced the launch of the Pennsylvania Antiques Show, a new event highlighting the best of Americana as well as folk art, garden antiques, French, Dutch, English, and Chinese decorative arts along with standout pieces of 20th-century art and design. The event will take place April 23–26, 2026, at the convention center at Valley Forge Casino Resort, just minutes from Valley Forge National Historical Park.


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The show will begin with a special preview party on Thursday, April 23, from 5 to 9 pm. It will then open to the public on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. All attendees will receive free admission to Historic Trappe’s museums, located just twenty minutes from the show, including the Center for Pennsylvania German Studies, in the Dewees Tavern; the Muhlenberg House, furnished to the Revolutionary War era; and the Speaker’s House, home of Frederick Muhlenberg—first Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives—which will have its own grand opening to the public in spring of 2026 after 25 years of restoration.


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The venue is easily accessible via major highways and offers free parking, an on-site hotel, and multiple restaurants, making it an ideal destination for collectors, dealers, and visitors alike.

More than two dozen of the nation’s leading antiques dealers have already committed to the show, including Arader Galleries, A Bird in Hand, Barbara Israel Garden Antiques, David A. Schorsch–Eileen M. Smiles, H.L. Chalfant American Fine Art and Antiques, David M. Kurau—William R. & Teresa F. Kurau, Diana H. Bittel, Dixon-Hall Fine Art, Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge, Elliott and Grace Snyder, Greg K. Kramer, Hilary and Paulette Nolan, James M. Kilvington, James L. Price, Jayne Thompson Antiques, Jeff R. Bridgman, Jeffrey Tillou, Kelly Kinzle, Levy Galleries, Lillian Nassau, Nathan Liverant and Son, Olde Hope, Schwarz Gallery, Silver Art by D&R, and Antique French Fine Arts.

Patrick Bell and Edwin Hild of Olde Hope, who will be celebrating their fiftieth anniversary in the antiques business in 2026, noted that “this is exactly what the field needs—a fresh burst of energy—with seasoned dealers and younger ones alike participating.” Skip Chalfant, a longtime exhibitor at the Delaware Antiques Show and Philadelphia Antiques Show, is also an enthusiastic supporter, saying “I am very excited about this new venue. The fact that you have some of the best dealers in the country as well as the 250th anniversary of our nation is a win, win situation!” David Schorsch, who began as an antiques dealer at age twelve working with his mother, added, “I applaud Historic Trappe’s efforts to attract younger dealers and collectors.”

Diana H. Bittel, a nationally recognized antiques dealer and veteran show manager, will help organize the event, bringing her expertise from the Delaware Antiques Show and The Newport Show.

Highlighting the Next Generation of Dealers, Collectors, and Scholars

Historic Trappe is making a special effort to engage younger antiques dealers, collectors, designers, and scholars in the show. Zac Ziebarth, owner of Ziebarth’s Antiques and current president of the Antiques Dealers’ Association of America, will be participating. At twenty-three, Jeffrey Ricketts of East Nottingham Antiques will likely be the youngest dealer in the show. He is passionate about the antiques business and recently spoke at Colonial Williamsburg’s Antiques Forum on the restoration of his 18th-century log house in Cecil County, Maryland. Oliver Garland will be exhibiting a mix of 17th to 19th century decorative smalls, European antiques, curiosities, and portraits. Another young couple joining the show, Christopher and Bernadette Evans of Virginia, specialize in country Americana and folk art. Phil Mead, of Mead Americana, will offer Colonial and Revolutionary American militaria, books, paper, and personal objects. Mead holds a Ph.D. in early American history from Harvard and is the former Chief Historian and Curator of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia.

Many younger collectors also serve on Historic Trappe’s board and will be actively involved with the show’s planning. “We’re excited to leverage the energy and contacts of both our trustees and professional staff, many of whom are significantly younger than those at peer organizations,” said Lisa Minardi, executive director (who is an active young collector herself). “This show is a chance to give the field a much-needed boost leading up to America’s 250th anniversary.”

New research by young professionals and emerging scholars will also be presented throughout the event. One featured speaker is Emily Sneff, a Trappe-area native and leading historian of the Declaration of Independence, who recently earned her Ph.D. from William & Mary. She will speak about her forthcoming book, When the Declaration of Independence Was News (to be published by Oxford University Press) and host a book signing during the show. Another young scholar who will be speaking is Christopher Malone, curator at Historic Trappe, who will share new discoveries on Pennsylvania German redware from the forthcoming volume three of Americana Insights, an annual volume series focusing on traditional Americana and folk art.