Our History, Our Legacy.

Tradition of excellence born of commitment to the fine art of American furniture making.

The Connecticut Spring Antiques Show was founded in 1973 by the late Frances Walker Phipps and Betty Forbes who were responsible for establishing it as one of the country’s most important venues of authentic early American furniture. Miss Phipps wrote about antiques for The Hartford Times and and The New York Times and published many important works including “The Collector’s Complete Dictionary of American Antiques” and “Colonial Kitchens, Their Furnishings and Gardens.” Miss Phipps was also a founding member of the Haddam Historical Society (the show’s beneficiary) and was instrumental in the restoration of the Thankful Arnold House Museum.

Miss Phipps had one major mandate for the show: furniture shown must be American made prior to the year 1840, the onset of the age of mass production.

Today, the show maintains the exacting standards and commitment to authenticity that has made this event one of the finest exhibitions of early American made furniture and accessories.

History · Past Shows · Beneficiary · Committee