6 eye-catching items I spotted at the 68th New Hampshire Antiques Show
Check out the most unique items from the New Hampshire Antiques Show and learn about other upcoming events.
Last week, I dove into the world of antiquing for the first time ever at New Hampshire’s much-loved antiques show, which featured almost 60 antique dealerships from across the country.
It was a spectacular show of vintage items—from old tobacco tins to other fine 18th- and 19th-century American antiques.
About the New Hampshire Antiques Show
The 68th edition of the show ran from August 7 to 9 on Elm Street in Manchester, and was sponsored by the New Hampshire Antiques Dealers Association. The NHADA is one of the largest antique associations in the country, with over 200 in-state and out-of-state dealers.
“Throughout its nearly seven decades, this professional organization has strived to bring you the best dealers in the trade, and this year is no exception,” said Richard Thorner, president of NHADA, in an official statement. “What makes this show particularly special is that it includes dealers, representing diverse categories in the field of antiques, who exhibit in many shows and others who limit themselves to only a few.”
New Hampshire’s tryst with antiquing is not new, and the state is known for its “antique alley,” where shops have been scattered along Route 4 between Lee and Chichester since the 1900s. Now, there are nearly 500 shops to peruse, making the Granite State home to some of the most eclectic collections of antique items, from colonial furniture and historical jewelry to early American glassware and Victorian-era decór.
As a Gen Zer, I didn’t have much insight into antiquing (who my age doesn’t love Ikea furniture or great second-hand finds from Facebook Marketplace?), but my experience with thrifting came in handy. I believe both are great ways to bring hidden gems back home!
The 6 most unique things I spotted at the show
1. Wooden advertisement for Westchester County Brewing Company
If anything, besides the beautiful and bountiful nature, New Hampshire is known for its myriad breweries (here’s a list of my favorites). There are almost 90 breweries in the region, and the history of independent breweries in New Hampshire dates back to the earliest European settlers.
With that in mind, a 1908 advertising sign for Westchester County Brewing Company, located north of New York City, drew my attention.
The brewery had an annual capacity of producing 50,000 barrels, and initially produced ale, porter, and lager. At some point, the brewing company also began manufacturing ice. The brewery operated from 1910 to 1920 during the pre-prohibition era.
2. Antique board games by Old as Adam
Old as Adam, an antique store company from Rhode Island, had a wall full of rare wooden board games—ranging from chess to checkers and Parcheesi. I would reckon the boards were hand-painted and made of very light wood. The prices of the game boards ranged from $275 to $1,250, and I swear, the red and green Parcheesi board really had my heart!
The antique business specializes in folk art and textiles. If you have any pre-1940s art, the company will also buy it from you.
It was fascinating to see several folk art games displayed on aged wooden boards. Now I’m wondering whether my Catan board will be passed on to posterity as an antique piece …
3. 18th-century pew chairs
Pew chairs were high-quality furniture made with premium mahogany wood in the 18th century.
The set of two pew chairs I saw was used in Lynnfield, Mass. at a congregational church from 1714 to 1732. The chairs were brought from England by Sally Russell Mansfield, wife of Elijah Mansfield.
4. Blue painted butter churn
Butter is a staple around the world, and I’m sure none of us could imagine a day without eating something in which butter ain’t an ingredient—bread, cake, toast, or pancakes!
As a kid, I always watched my mom throw heavy cream into a food processor or electric mixer, which piqued my interest in the science behind cooking.
I saw this antique painted butter churner at the antiques show, and it made me think deeply about how technology has transformed the world we live in. Since my mother last “churned” fresh butter for us, my sibling and I have just bought processed, store-bought butter.
The butter churner was a deep wooden barrel with a wooden whisk on top, dating from the early to mid-1800s. It had some chipped paint, but looked charming nevertheless.
5. American ship captain’s painted liquor chest
A 19th-century liquor chest containing 10 gold-plated bottles really caught my eye! The box had iron handles and an iron lock, and contained large bottles as well as a few smaller, matching bottles.
The lid of the wooden chest features an early piece of cloth with a paddlewheel ship and an American flag painted on it. It was priced at a whopping $1,200 and can be found on Steven. F Still Antiques’ website.
I believe one must really like consuming liquor—and drink it in style—to purchase this expensive set for their bar collection.
6. Bottle whimseys
Bottle whimseys are decorative pieces that capture scenes from church congregations to bawdy bar social gatherings. A miniature sculpture is usually carved inside a decanter, clear glass bottle, or light bulb. Although the art form originated in Europe in the 18th century, it only became popular later on in the 19th and 20th centuries. In America, it was only after the Civil War that bottle whimseys became household items. Instead of discarding liquor, medicine, and food packaging bottles and jars, people started to embrace a “best-out-of-waste” attitude and started using bottles meant for trash as whimseys.
The objects inside of the bottles are constructed out of wood, paper, and fabric. Some of the locks sealing the bottles also contain carvings, while others have plain cork.
Although I’ve seen a ship inside a bottle, I had never seen whimsey art quite like this, and I was truly mesmerized by the intricacy and delicacy with which each detail was preserved inside the bottle. But for the price of $650, I decided not to take one home.
Other antique shows to look out for in the region
Missed this antique show? No problem! Here are some upcoming shows to check out:
Norwich Antiques Show
September 13, 2025, at the Norwich Historical Society, Norwich, Vt.
Hampton Antique Show
September 28, 2025, at the Best Western Inn and Conference Center in Hampton, NH.
Contact Peter Mavris Antique Shows for more details at petermavris@gmail.com.
Connecticut River Valley Antiques and Historic Homes Show
October 11, 2025, at the Haddam-Killingworth Middle School in Killingworth, Conn.
The Boxborough Antique Show
October 26, 2025, at the Boxborough Regency Hotel, Boxborough, Mass.
Antique Show and Sale
November 30, 2025, at the Royal Plaza Trade Center in Marlborough, Mass.
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