St. George’s School in Middletown will be hosting the Newport Antiques Show from July 25th through the 27th, with a Gala Preview Party kicking things off on July 24th.  This show began in 2007 and has become one of the nation’s premier antiques venues.  It showcases a wide variety of important American antiques from over forty of the top dealers in the country.  There will be a variety of paintings, folk art, jewelry, furniture and more on display over the weekend.  This show benefits both the Newport Historical Society and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County.

The exhibit “Fifty Objects That Shaped Rhode Island History,” presented by both the Rhode Island and Newport Historical Societies, will be making its debut at this years Newport Antiques Show and will tell the story of Rhode Island’s founding through its 20th century history.  Themes such as tolerance and freedom, ingenuity and entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, immigration, revolution and the sea will be used to help share the story.  Some of the featured items are Roger William’s compass-sundial and the shirt worn by Governor Garrahy during the Blizzard of 1978.   On July 25th at 11am there will be a presentation called “Big History, Little State, Smaller Booth: 375 years in 50 objects.”  The objects in this exhibit will have been selected from thousands of objects, which takes a lot of thought, research and discussion.  At this presentation, Kirsten Hammersrom, the Director of Collections at the Rhode Island Historical Society, will be discussing the process used in selecting the items for the exhibit.

Some of the many exhibitors for the Newport Antiques Show include: Antique American Wicker, Sue Brown, Essex Antiquarians, J. Gallagher, Hanes & Ruskin, Hill-Stone, Inc., Johanna Antiques, Kelleher Fine Art, Leatherwood Antiques, Malcolm Magruder, Oriental Rugs Ltd., Rehs Gallery, Stephen Score Inc., Jayne Thompson Antiques, The Silver Vault, Jeffrey Tollou Antiques, Village Braider Antiques, Inc., White’s Nautical Antiques and many more.

Tickets are available for both the show and the Gala.  One day passes can be purchased, as well as a three day unlimited pass.