Tis the Season

Christmas is one of the most collectible holidays there is.  Almost everything about the Christmas season seems to cause memories of some kind.  The cookies in grandma's cookie jar, the ornaments made in school, the ornaments purchased when we set up housekeeping, the train set put out under the Christmas tree, the big mixing bowls and roasters used to make the holiday meal and all the trimmings that come with nostalgia.  Maybe it's the cross cut saw handed down from generation to generation to cut down the official Christmas tree. 

Whatever Christmas brings to your home, may it be joyous.

Collectible?

What is a collectible really?  Depending on your opinion, this word can conjure up quite a few different mental pictures.  How many items does it take to make a collection?  One, two or twenty?  If you have more than 100 of one type of item are you a professional collector or just obsessed? 

And how does a thing become collectible anyway?  Does more than one person have to desire it?  A dozen people perhaps.  Do you have to join a club to be considered a serious collector? 

Collections come in all shapes and sizes like people.  You may know someone who collects carnival glass and they think your collection of Pez dispensers is just a passing fancy.  Generally people don't know they're starting a collection until someone points it out to them by saying something like "do you really need 30 cookie jars".  It starts small with an item they probably have fond memories of.  The fun thing about collections is you don't even have to have all of the same item.  You can mix and match items that enhance your collection. 

Advertising items are a very popular type of collection.  I collect advertising items and it started with grocery items.  Tin cans with wonderful artwork  Glass bottles with paper labels just as fine.  Why didn't people throw these items away.  What possessed them to use the product inside and then keep the container?  Most likely the reason was re-use and because tupperware hadn't been invented yet.  People use to keep containers like this so they could store something else in it later.  I do find items from time to time that are still completely full of whatever product it's suppose to have in it.  Grocery items today don't seem to have the elaborate decoration on their labels and their containers aren't manufactured of the 'tough' stuff but they can be just as fun. 

So are you a serious collector or just like the way things look together on a shelf or windowsill?  You are not alone.  Good luck with your collection and stay tuned for more ramblings.

Why a blog?

Our intent with this blog is to keep you up to date on any happenings at the Olde Barn Centre and the surrounding area.  It will be an ongoing process and will have information from various facets of an antique business including but not limited to: how to care for your antiques, what to look for when collecting various items, items currently for sale at the Olde Barn Centre, etc.  This blog will not presume to value individual items nor advise you as to popularity or worth of items you may own or are interested in purchasing.  This is not an e-commerce site.  If you would like to contact the Olde Barn Centre with regard to availability of an item pictured on our blog, we welcome you to do so by phoning us at 570-546-7493. 

We do not infer all items pictured on our blog will always be available.  Most of the items we currently sell are one of a kind and as such availability is on a first come, first serve basis.  Likewise with any events we may refer to, some events will be weather permitting and if interested in attending, you should contact the promoters of the function for specific details. 

Whether or not you are a serious collector, novice, decorator or just someone perusing blogs, we hope ours will become a valuable tool you wish to return to again and again.

Collectible?

The Olde Barn Centre buildings date back to the 1790s when the Quaker family of William Cox Ellis acquired the land where the Olde Barn Centre stands today.  And yes, you read correctly, the original buildings were separate, touching only by a corner of the buildings but the Fry family, with the intent of opening an antique business, joined the buildings by creating a central lobby and stairwell leading access to the second floor in 1992.  Much of the original flooring, post and beam, dutch lap siding and other attributes were kept if possible during the restoration from working barns to antique store.  Local folk lore says the barn and neighboring stone house were part of the underground railroad during the civil war. Situated outside of the village of Pennsdale, just miles from Williamsport, PA, our 9000 square foot barn is now one of the largest antique shops in central Pennsylvania.  You'll find a variety of furniture, collectibles, glassware, linens, antique tools, decorative items and "such" from seasoned dealers with over 200 years of combined experience of buying and selling antiques and collectibles.  A tasteful blend of the past and present, local craftsmen also display their unique and functional furniture in contemporary and period room settings. We are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m and closed just 4 major holidays (Thanksgiving day, Christmas day, New Year's day and Easter).  The barn is climate controlled year round with plenty of parking and we offer complimentary coffee.  We invite you to visit and see for yourself that there truly is something for everyone at the Olde Barn Centre.