ENJOY AN ANTIQUES WEEKEND AT OGLEBAY

WHEELING, W.Va. (March 14, 2008)- - The longest running and largest antiques show in West Virginia, Oglebay Institute’s 55th Annual Antiques Show and Sale takes place April 3, 4 and 5 at Wilson Lodge in Oglebay Resort.

Complete with a wide assortment of nostalgic pieces ranging from furniture, linens and household collectibles to fine jewelry, artwork and ceramics, this event covers two floors of Wilson Lodge and features more than 50 reputable dealers from 10 states.

General show hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, April 4 and 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday, April 5, with a general admission fee of just $7. Special preview events, including the popular Dessert with Antiques party, kick off the event Friday April 3. All proceeds support the Museums of Oglebay Institute.

“This show is great for people with a wide range of antiques experience, from experts to first-timers,” Museums Director Christin Stein said. “Our dealers have more than 1,200 years of combined experience, and they love to answer questions and share their knowledge.”

Stein said personal attention is what keeps people returning year after year. “ This show really puts you in touch with the dealers. You can shake hands, look each other in the eye and converse.”

Another perk, Stein said, is that it takes the risk out of buying. “Our dealers select their stock carefully and weed out the junk so you don’t have to.”

Antiques dealer Peter Chillingworth of Scenery Hill, Pa., has managed the show since 2000. Stein said he invites “only the most reputable dealers, and buyers can rest assured they are getting the cream of the crop.”

In addition to a wonderful shopping opportunity, the Antiques Show and Sale is a great place to learn. Dealer booth talks and programs on Decorating with Antiques in a Modern World and Deconstruction, an environmentally friendly alternative to demolition through reuse of buildings and materials, are free with show admission and take place Saturday and Sunday.

A new event at the 2009 show is an Antiques Show Children’s Tour on Saturday morning. Museums Curator Megan Clark will take children on a guided tour of the show and introduce concepts of antiques and collecting.

“Children are natural collectors, surrounding themselves with what they love and cherish,” Clark said. “This is a great addition to the weekend show.”

Space is limited for the children’s tour and reservations are required. A nominal fee is charged.

“We offer these programs because they enhance the experience for our guests by providing practical advice and insight into the antiques collection world,” Stein said.

The Antiques Show and Sale is also a social event to attend with family and friends. Friday evening preview events provide opportunity to chat, drink, dine, shop and get a special “sneak peak” of the show.

Preview events include a cocktail party with heavy hors d’oeuvres and live music at the Glass Museum from 6 – 8 p.m. and a scrumptious dessert party with an enticing array of sweets and coffees at nearby Wilson Lodge from 7 – 10 p.m. A new Patron/Dealer Meet and Greet takes place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

“All of these programs take our show to the next level,” Stein said. “It’s not just an event, it’s an experience.”

Three admission options are available for the patron events. Tickets can be purchased to include: cocktails, dessert and meet and greet; cocktails and dessert only or just dessert. Those purchasing tickets for the cocktail party and meet and greet will enjoy limousine service to and from Wilson Lodge for the exclusive preview shopping opportunity. Reservations are required for those events, but are not required for the dessert preview party. All patron events include repeat admission to the show all weekend long.

A fundraiser of the Museums of Oglebay Institute, this weekend show is put together by the hard-working Committee of the Museums of Oglebay Institute, and money raised supports a worthwhile cause- preserving and interpreting our local heritage.

The show is co-chaired by Wheeling residents Paula McClure and Charlotte Karges.

For more information, call the Museums of Oglebay Institute at 304.242.7272 or visit on the web at www.oionline.com