Join Fine Objects Society (FOS) for an unforgettable weekend of excursions, discussions, and exclusive events organized in tandem with the inaugural Pennsylvania Antiques Show, organized by Historic Trappe! This getaway promises immersive, behind-the-scenes experiences, private tours, and engaging conversations with curators, decorative arts specialists, and preservationists.
Registration coming soon
Schedule of Events
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
The Pennsylvania Antiques Show Preview Party
5:00 - 9:00 pm | Valley Forge Casino Resort, 1160 1st Avenue, King of Prussia, PA
Join us for the launch of the Pennsylvania Antiques Show, a new event highlighting the best of Americana as well as folk art, garden antiques, French, Dutch, English, and Chinese decorative arts, along with standout pieces of 20th-century art and design. This grand opening event includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and the first opportunity to buy from our distinguished group of dealers. The show will be held at the convention center at Valley Forge Casino Resort, just minutes from Valley Forge National Historical Park.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
Snooping around the Independence Seaport Museum with Peter Seibert
10:00 am | 211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd. Philadelphia, PA
The Independence Seaport Museum brings the story of the Philadelphia region to life through the mighty Delaware River. Join Executive Director Peter Seibert for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour featuring highlights from the museum’s 10,000-object collection, including the legendary Cruiser Olympia—the world’s oldest floating steel warship—and the World War II–era Submarine Becuna.
DIY lunch at Franklin’s Table Food Hall
12:30 pm | 3401 Walnut St. Philadelphia, PA
Meet us for a quick bite at Franklin’s Table, a one-of-a-kind food hall located in the heart of Penn’s campus. Each stall offers a diverse menu of food options that will satisfy meat-eaters and vegans, sushi fans, and hoagie lovers alike.
Curatorial Tour of A World in the Making: The Shakers with Hallie Ringle
1:30 pm | Institute of Contemporary Art Philadelphia, 118 S. 36th St. Philadelphia, PA
Organized by Vitra Design Museum in partnership with the Shaker Museum (Chatham), A World in the Making: The Shakers explores the design legacy of the Shakers, a religious group whose values of community, labor, and equality shaped their furniture, architecture, and everyday objects. Through works by contemporary artists influenced by the Shakers, alongside original Shaker-made pieces, the exhibition considers how their design principles remain relevant today. This tour will be led by ICA curator Hallie Ringle in dialogue with Sarah Margolis-Pineo, FOS member and featured essayist in The Shakers (2025) exhibition catalogue.
Behind-the-Scenes tour of Andalusia with John Vick
3:30 pm | Andalusia Historic House, Garden & Arboretum, 1237 State Rd. Andalusia, PA
In 1980, James Biddle, Curator of the American Wing of the MET and President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, donated the family’s Big House and nearly 15 acres of land to the Andalusia Foundation. Today the Foundation comprises 50 acres of gardens and woodlands, the Big House, the Grotto, and other outbuildings throughout the property. This behind-the-scenes tour with executive director John Vick delves into the history and collection of the Big House–one of the finest, most distinctive examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States.
An Evening Reception on Andalusia’s Grand Porch, sponsored by Quittner Home
4:30 pm | Andalusia Historic House, Garden & Arboretum, 1237 State Rd. Andalusia, PA
Join Pippa Biddle, granddaughter of Andalusia Foundation founder James Biddle, for refreshments on Andalusia’s magnificent Grand Porch overlooking the Delaware River. Since 1814, Andalusia has been preserved and stewarded by five generations of Biddles and, today, Pippa Biddle, co-founder of Quittner Home, sits on the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
Historic Hardware Demonstration at the Pennsylvania Antiques Show
10:00 am | Valley Forge Casino Resort, 1160 1st Avenue, King of Prussia, PA
Lunch and a Historic Overview of Historic Trappe with Emily Sneff
12:30 pm | 301 W. Main St. Trappe, PA
From the recently restored Speaker’s House on the campus of Historic Trappe, excursion participants will enjoy catered box lunches and a presentation on America 250, a landmark exhibition highlighting the experiences of Pennsylvania Germans during the American Revolution. Historian Emily Sneff, a leading expert on the Declaration of Independence, will illuminate select objects and stories that reveal how local communities engaged with revolutionary ideas and events, offering a fresh perspective on the nation’s founding.
Curatorial Tour of Historic Trappe with Christopher Malone
2:00 pm | 301 W. Main St. Trappe, PA
Explore the rich decorative arts and architectural legacy of Historic Trappe with curator Christopher Malone. This immersive visit offers rare insight into the site’s collections, craftsmanship, and the preservation of southeastern Pennsylvania’s German heritage. With special access to the Henry Muhlenberg House and Dewees Tavern—home to the Center for Pennsylvania German Studies—the tour reveals how faith, community, and craft have shaped the region’s history.
Reception at the Historic Heister House
6:00 pm
Built in 1757, the Daniel Hiester House is a remarkable example of early American architecture and craftsmanship. In 2017, Lisa Minardi and her husband, Philip W. Bradley, acquired the long-derelict property and embarked on a meticulous, multi-year restoration to return the home to its original grandeur. Today, the house retains nearly all of its original architectural features—including five working fireplaces, elaborate ironwork, and exceptional period details—and is beautifully furnished with 18th-century Pennsylvania German furniture and decorative arts. For this special reception, Lisa Minardi opens the Hiester House to FOS and shares her personal journey of restoration and collecting.
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
Optional Reentry to the Pennsylvania Antiques Show
11:00 am - 4:00 pm | Valley Forge Casino Resort, 1160 1st Avenue, King of Prussia, PA