Annual Antique Shows

Since 1957, the Green Bay-De Pere Antiquarian Society has hosted yearly antique shows to fund the preservation and restoration of antiquities that are placed in local historical buildings, museums and other community facilities and projects throughout the Green Bay, Wisconsin area.

Click on the following links for:    2010 Antique Show Information         2009 Show Information & Photo Galleries

History of the Annual Antique Show
Our first event was called “Antique Show & Sale” and held in the Walnut Room at the Hotel Northland. It was chaired by Mrs. E. F. Hasbrook and J. B. Gueinzius. That first show featured six dealers. Admission: 50 cents.

The next two years the show remained in the Walnut Room and expanded to the Crystal Ballroom from 1960-1968. During that time period each show was themed with such titles as “Gems of Antiquities”, “Romantic Past”, “Lavender and Old Lace”, “Treasures of Old”, “Heritage Harvest”, and “Vintage Vignettes”.

In 1969, the show, named “Old Green Bay Days” moved to the Riverside Ballroom and stayed at that site until 1984, with the exception of 1976, 1977 and 1978.

The theme and mantra of the Society changed in 1970 to “Under Three Flags” which was incorporated as the Society logo, which remains the same to this day. The 1976 show celebrated the Bicentennial Year. A unique opportunity allowed the event to be held at the Braebourne Estate in Allouez-(known at that time as the Cowles Estate, subsequently the Murphy

Estate and currently the enclosed wrought iron fence property has been developed into private homes). The Co-Chairs were Mary Turek and Pat Cochran. The Society members also made a 1976 Bicentennial quilt commemorating the historical buildings in the area. It was used as a raffle prize for the Antique Show. At that time the event was the largest attended. There were 16 dealers.

In 1977 and 1978 the show returned to the newly purchased Hotel Northland named The Port Plaza Inn. The Show Chair was Mrs. Robert Johnson. Amanda Cobb, was Flower Show Chair. It was themed “Downtowne Antique and Flower Show”.

The last six years 1979-1984 at Riverside Ballroom, saw the dealers increase to twenty-five.

In 1985, show chairs Lois Bourguignon and Marilyn Vander Zanden hosted the event at the Embassy Suites (Hotel Sierra) and recorded the highest number of dealers ever to participate-- forty!

In 1986 the event was held at the Downtowner Motel. The next 15 years, 1987-2001 the Show was held at the Midway Motor Lodge, later renamed Midway Hotel. The average number of dealers during that time period was 27.

In 2002 the event moved to the KI Convention Center where it remains to date. During the past nine years, 2002-2009 the average number of dealers was 34.

As we look forward to our 2010 Show, our members shall strive to ensure this event is financially successful so that we can continually preserve our community’s treasures for posterity.