Washington Winter Show 2025

55 university’s next Directors’ Meeting to nd out whether or not their proposal had been accepted. Mrs. Curtin credits Dr. Kerwin with the foresight to realize that the Show would bring people into the Katzen Center who had never been there before and that this would be good publicity for the Center and American University. With Dr. Kerwin’s support, the proposal was accepted and the 54th Annual Show, Art and Antiques in Red, was held at the Katzen Center in 2009. We are thankful for the partnership with American University which enables us to have such a marvelous setting for the Show. Today, for many who love antiques and value collecting and preservation, it would not be the start of a new year without the Washington Winter Show. Preview Night and Show events are a time to reconnect with friends after the holidays and enjoy the Show together. Preserving the Future of Our Past is both a tribute to the history of our Show and a commitment to continue preserving and sharing the craftsmanship and beauty of antiques with those around us and in the next generation. Mrs. Dunn and Mrs. Lemon remained deeply interested throughout their lives in the Show’s success and impact on the community. Their vision continues through Washington Winter Show Founding Board members like Mrs. Curtin and Mrs. Cox, whose personal contributions to the success of the Show are too numerous to count, and the entire Winter Show Board of Directors, whose time, energy, and ideas sustain this important Show. To ensure its continuity, the Directors and Co- Chairs of this year’s Show, Rachel and Jared Michael, have prioritized outreach to those under forty. With over 6,000 patrons in attendance at the 2024 Show, 7,000+ engaged social media followers, and a successful Young Collectors’ Circle, we expect more younger people at the 70th Anniversary Show than ever before (look for them at the Saturday Jazz Night.) Programs such as Sundaes on Sunday: Treats and Treasures with Our Youngest Collectors, engage children in the pursuit of beauty and education about antiques. For this, we are very grateful. Loan exhibits have been a key part of the Show from the very beginning. As Mrs. Curtin recently observed, a loan exhibit is both educational for those viewing and experiencing it and good publicity for the historic house museum whose items are on display. Scholarly articles related to the Show theme, often written by curators of collections at the featured historic house museum, are a regular part of each Show Catalogue. The 2025 Loan Exhibit, Preservation Pioneers: Lessons from Seven Historic Homes, draws upon the collections of seven historic houses previously featured in Show loan exhibits: Anderson House, Gunston Hall, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, Mount Vernon, Stratford Hall, Tudor Place, and Winterthur. Show events have also been a key part of the Show from its inception and draw people in who often stay to browse the Show. Many shows over the years included appraisals where one could bring in silver, paintings, porcelain, or brass for appraisal by a dealer. The caliber of speakers at Show events over the years has been tremendous. Consider these two from 1979 — “Irish Houses and Castles” with The Honorable Desmond Guinness and a Young Collectors’ Night with Mr. Clement F. Conger, Curator of The White House and Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State. At the 27th Annual Washington Antiques Show in 1982, The American China Trade, the Sunday Lecture-Brunch featured Joan Fontaine, collector, author, actress, and lecturer, speaking about her travels in China and her collection of Chinese Export Porcelain. The 1999 Show brought Viscount David Linley from the UK to discuss his furniture line and attend the “Top of the Nines” Young Collectors’ Ball. Ambassadors from several countries including The Netherlands, France, Great Britain, and Turkey have lent their support as honorary chairs over the years. All of this has served to raise the Show’s pro le in the community and raise awareness of the Show’s commitment to donating funds for underserved and at-risk children and families. As you go home and share your joy and unique nds from the Show with family and friends, remember our co-founders and their brave and bold decision in the mid-1950s to bring the second-oldest charity antique show in the country to Washington. They would be so pleased to see the Show’s success today as we continue their legacy.