News Summary
Savannah kicked off the 30th season of Antiques Roadshow at the Georgia State Railroad Museum, featuring appraisals of varied collectibles. Over 120 volunteers and numerous appraisers helped attendees uncover the stories behind their cherished items, emphasizing the emotional significance of objects like a World War II uniform. The event set the stage for a five-stop tour, with filming for its episode airing in spring 2026. While uncertainties loom over future productions, the emotional connections between people and their heirlooms remain a focal point of the show.
Savannah kicked off the 30th season of the popular television series Antiques Roadshow at the historic Georgia State Railroad Museum. This event marked the first stop on a five-stop production tour scheduled for 2025. Attendees of the event had the opportunity to have their family heirlooms and collectibles appraised in various categories, including clocks, pottery, porcelain, and sports memorabilia.
The event attracted numerous visitors who brought their cherished items, with many transporting bubble-wrapped treasures in buggies over the museum’s gravel pathways. Over 120 member-volunteers from Georgia Public Broadcasting aided the event, with more than 65 certified appraisers available to evaluate the items brought in. One prominent appraiser, Lark E. Mason, became a familiar face at the event, engaging with attendees and sharing his expertise.
During the appraisals, Mason compared his work to that of a detective, uncovering the histories behind various objects. An example of his detective-like work was evident when he successfully matched a lid with a sugar bowl, solving a long-standing family mystery for one attendee. Among the significant items appraised was a World War II uniform originally worn by Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley, which was donated to the event by her daughter. This highlighted the personal and often emotional journeys behind the objects presented for valuation.
The market for military uniforms, as noted by resident expert Jeff Schrader, can be influenced by several factors, including current retail demand and collector habits. Executive producer Marsha Bemko revealed that a majority of attendees, typically around 90-95%, choose to retain their valued possessions regardless of their estimated worth, emphasizing the emotional connections people have with their items. The primary considerations for filming also include the personal stories behind the items and the emotional significance in the context of the owners’ lives.
The filming for Savannah’s episode is set to air in spring 2026, bringing the memories and stories shared at the event to viewers across various platforms. The Antiques Roadshow boasts a significant audience, with over 5 million viewers tuning in weekly. This marks the show’s continual effort to connect people with their histories through tangible items.
The Georgia State Railroad Museum, which hosted the event, is celebrating its 50th anniversary and is part of Savannah’s Coastal Heritage Society. CEO Nora Lee noted that the event drew in many first-time visitors eager to learn about history and engage with stories from the past. The setting created a carnival-like atmosphere that added to the excitement and eagerness of attendees as they navigated through the museum grounds.
However, the future of the show faced uncertainty when following the Savannah event, President Trump signed an executive order to defund PBS and NPR, which could potentially impact future productions of Antiques Roadshow. Despite this, the excitement surrounding the event and its significance in connecting people with their heritage remains strong.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- WJCL: Antiques Roadshow Makes Stop in Savannah
- Savannah Now: Antiques Roadshow 30th Season Tour
- MSN: Antiques Roadshow Films Episodes at Savannah Museum
- Press Herald: Where to Find Antiques Roadshow
- Savannah Now: Antiques Roadshow 2025 Tour Stopping in Savannah
- Wikipedia: Antiques Roadshow
- Google Search: Antiques Roadshow
- Google Scholar: Antiques Roadshow
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Antiques Roadshow
- Google News: Antiques Roadshow
