PBS’s popular TV show, Antiques Roadshow, will highlight Grand Rapids
Michigan in April. The 2 Grand Rapids shows were filmed last summer
in August 2008.
Local airings are scheduled for Monday, April 20th & April 27th, at 8 pm,
but check your local listings for more accurate information for your area.
We are anxious to see what the Roadshow has selected for our Grand Rapids
area, though I think we will see people from all over the state and bordering
states, not just Grand Rapidians bringing their treasures in for evaluation.
Since Grand Rapids was known as "furniture city" during the second half
of the 19th century, it will be fascinating to see what is highlighted.
The big names in fine furniture: Baker, Knapp & Tubbs, Kindel, John
Widdicomb, and Mastercraft were all based here in the city of Grand
Rapids. Sadly, only Kindel Furniture Company still remains in our city
producing fine furniture. The others have relocated to North Carolina
or have gone out of business. We are now known for making office
furniture here in West Michigan.
If you are interested in the Grand Rapids furniture industry, there
is a detailed exhibit at the Van Andel Museum that will walk you
through, from the start in the 1850’s to the furniture produced today.
This is a photo of the Berkey & Gaye Secretary circa 1865 that
we entered into the Roadshow furniture lottery. Antique Roadshow
didn’t think our antique secretary was rare enough to feature on
their broadcast. I am showing it here to give you an idea of the
craftmanship that was produced in Grand Rapids furniture factories
1850’s to the late 1980’s.
Grand Rapids Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
Photos by Bonnie Westbrook
All PBS’s popular TV show are really a good stuff, i usually views such programs.