The first Binghamton antique show in 1936 may have been the best. Here's why
There have been antique shows, and there are ANTIQUE Shows! The concept is not new – gather a bunch of antique dealers to a good-sized venue, advertise that there are “x” number of dealers, and promote like crazy to pull in the crowds.
As part of the Broome County Historical Society, I have assisted them with booths and exhibits at local antique shows from the 1980s when they were part of the Million Dollar Antique Show, which started at the West End Armory, to its move to the former IBM County Club in the Town of Union, to its location at Binghamton University’s Events Center, and even to today as the present incarnation of that SUNY Broome Ice Center.
Antique shows are not new. You can find ads and articles about them in this region dating way back to the 1930s, and even earlier mentions of them in some history tomes. Yet, and I say, yet, there was one in Binghamton in 1936 that would put many of today’s shows to shame. We cannot claim to have started antique shows, or even had the largest show ever. What could be stated for what was claimed as Binghamton’s first antique show is that it was grand.
It was not a subtle or small affair. No, it was a large and long show. Five days of antique dealers selling their ancient and interesting wares to thousands of visitors from across the Northeast arriving to the Binghamton area to partake in everything from colonial furniture, glassware, and a variety of art.
It was the brainchild of Mrs. Carolyn Curtis of Delhi. In 1936, she came up with the idea to create the Southern Tier Antique Show. She envisioned this as the largest antique show of the entire region. There had already been antique shows in Sidney and Elmira, but she was determined not to be outdone. This show would last for five days – running from noon on Tuesday through Saturday. Each day, the show was open until 10 p.m.
She selected the Kalurah Temple on Washington Street in Binghamton as the location for this show. The temple was already a popular spot for events, including sporting events and conferences. It was a large venue that would eventually become First Assembly of God Church, now called City Church. Both the location and the size of the building was conducive to a successful show.
That first show ran from Tuesday, July 27, 1936 until Saturday, Aug. 1, 1936. The show had 40 dealers of antiques from seven states participating. According to the newspaper articles about the show, cars with license plates from New England, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Montana, South Carolina, Connecticut, Texas, Washington, D.C., Illinois, and, of course, New York, were parked around the Kalurah Temple.
According to the newspapers, thousands attended the show that displayed special collections focusing on things such as mechanical banks, English China, Chippendale and Queen Anne furniture from the 18th century. There were many other collections and individual items that appeared to have brought great success to the supposed “first” show.
Plans were made before the show’s end for a second show to be held in 1937. Indeed, it was held – this time in June 1937, and again at the Kalurah Temple. Mrs. Curtis claimed it was the second largest antique show in New York, only beat by one in New York City. Again, there were 40 dealers selling from Tuesday through Saturday. There were three local dealers among the 40 booths at this second show, but many of the others were from the Northeast.
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While the press for this show was less, one more show was planned and held in 1938. The same format as before from Tuesday to Saturday in July 1938, with a rare signed document by George Washington on display. The news coverage this time came down to a single column in the paper. Perhaps the show had run its course, or the number of days was too great. Searching the newspaper in 1939, there is no mention of a fourth show.
What was a great event seemed to have evaporated. Too bad, as I would have loved to attend it.
Gerald Smith is a former Broome County historian. Email him at historysmiths@stny.rr.com.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton history included memorable antique shows in 1930s
