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
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