East Hampton Historical Society Antiques Show Returns

Six years ago, the East Hampton Historical Society decided that rather than putting an overwhelming amount of energy into three or four small fundraising events, they’d dedicate the same amount of energy into one big event.

Thus, the East Hampton Antiques Show was born, and it has since been one of the most anticipated fundraisers of the season.

This year, the historical society’s annual event will once again be held on the historic grounds of Mulford Farm on Saturday, July 21, and Sunday, July 22. Proceeding the show, on Friday, July 20, there will be a preview cocktail party from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All proceeds from the weekend will benefit the society’s educational programs.

Charlotte Moss will be hosting the cocktail party. Best known for blending European and American influences to create interiors for today’s lifestyle, the designer and author said she is looking forward to the event.

“There is nothing more important than preserving our architectural heritage so those in the future can experience it, learn from it, be aware of history. We all do what we can. The East Hampton Historical Society is crucial to the preservation of our community’s integrity,” Ms. Moss said in a statement. “Everyone can participate is this mission and they can begin by coming to the antiques show and shopping.”

One of the historical society’s main goals in creating this event was to develop something that is relevant to the mission of the organization, according to Executive Director Richard Barons.

“We wanted the event to have something to do with the educational story we are trying to tell,” he said during a telephone interview last Tuesday. “Since we’re housing approximately 10,000 decorative arts in collections, it should be something that makes sense with what we do. The first year, we were just stunned by how successful it was. It is such a wonderful opportunity to meet people with like interests just by seeing them looking at similar objects.”

This year, the focus of the show is antiques and decorative items for the home and garden.

“Vintage rattan and bamboo furniture, lighting, textiles, architectural elements, American formal and country painted furniture, art deco and moderne furniture, garden ornaments, wrought-iron accessories, industrial items, paintings, trade signs, period jewelry, weather vanes and mirrors will be offered,” according to information issued from the East Hampton Historical Society.

Even those who aren’t in the market to buy can enjoy talking to knowledgeable dealers who have a specialty in something that sparks their interest, Mr. Barons said.

“It is such a nice, easy atmosphere. If people don’t want to mingle, they could lose themselves in 19th-century jewelry,” he said.

It was important to the event planners that during the execution of their vision, the fragile grounds of Mulford Farm were respected and preserved.

“What we decided was to go out to a professional show manager, tell them what we were looking for, something upscale that we could tie a benefit cocktail party to,” Mr. Barons reported. “Big tents but no big air conditioners, or machinery. We were adamant about leaving as little impact on the landscape as possible.”

After interviewing nine potential promoters, the society decided on a group from Providence, RI, Ferguson & D’Arruda Antiques, who they felt understood the sensitivity involved.

According to Ferguson & D’Arruda partner Tom D’Arruda, every year the show gets better.

“It is such a great place for a show,” he said during a telephone interview on Thursday. “All the dealers we work with are cooperative and helpful and many of them have stuck with us through the years because it is such a successful show. I think they have been thinking about what to bring to please the Hamptons crowd all winter long.”

Picture delicate room settings under fancy tents housing modernism, folk art, collectible art, jewelry, oriental rugs, maps and more. That was the goal—to capture something for everyone. And according to Mr. Barons, they didn’t stop until they did just that.

“Every year there is different merchandise. This year, at least 10 percent of the dealers are ones who have not done the show in the past. We’re happy to have new faces bringing new things to look at,” Mr. Barons said. “Then there are the dealers who come every year and who have really captured what is the “Hampton look.” They recognize the aesthetic out here; how it’s wonderful to have a [Jackson] Pollock on the wall but also fun to have a German fruit-gathering ladder in the corner.”

The East Hampton Antiques Show show will begin with a cocktail party on Friday, July 20, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $150 and include Saturday and Sunday admission. Show hours are Saturday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Day tickets are $10, with early buying ticket admission at $20. For reservations and additional information, call 324-6850 or visit easthamptonhistory.org.