Yesterday's Village, Highland Mills, N.Y.
:It was more than 15 years ago that the notion of conducting an antiques show in Mayor's Park came to promoter David Cooke. Located on the banks of the Hudson River, the idyllic setting looks west across the river at majestic Storm King Mountain, and south of that, at West Point.
Cooke's notions were not initially well received by the powers that be in Cold Spring, and it took a fair dose of small-town politics to convince officials that the event would be harmless in regard to the site and a boon to the local economy. Cooke reported the first show coming off without a hitch, the field undamaged, a host of buyers making purchases and a group of happy dealers. Additionally, the small hamlet, filled with antiques shops and eateries, became part of an expanded destination for the afternoon.
Tandem Antiques, Hudson, N.Y.
Little has changed over the past years, as witnessed on Sunday, June 13, although the field is slightly smaller than what it was in the beginning, encroached upon by a youth baseball field to which Cooke contributed; 60 dealers fill the available spaces today.
Shoppers still flock to the market and a good selection of wares are seen about the field. Tin toys, stoneware, art pottery, country signs, furniture ranging from country to Victorian to Deco, jewelry and paintings, and even a nice pair of Arts and Crafts period Jarvie candlesticks.
After shopping the show, acquaintances made on the field are often seen again during the day, either over breakfast in town or mulling about in one of the two dozen or so shops that line the main drag.
For further information, or next year's dates, contact David Cooke at 845-265-4414 or visit the show website at
www.coldspringantiqueshow.com
.
Steven Levinson, Forest Hills, N.Y., with a selection of vintage toys.
