A Brief History of the Bluegrass State

The first people arrived in what is now Kentucky near the end of the last Ice Age, at least 12,000 years ago. At that time, the Laurentide Ice Sheet covered northern Kentucky, creating a colder climate that shaped the geography and the flora and fauna found across much of the region. These Paleoindian hunter-gatherers adapted to the changing landscape, relying on its natural resources while following herds of megafauna across the Commonwealth, leaving behind some of the earliest evidence of human occupation in Kentucky.

As the Ice Age ended and many of the great animals disappeared, Indigenous cultures evolved alongside a changing environment. During the Archaic and Woodland periods, people increasingly relied on agriculture, developed pottery and basketry traditions, and established more permanent villages. They began participating in long-distance exchanges involving tools, food, and tobacco. New technologies, including the bow, smaller, true arrowheads, and improved stone tools, were employed alongside the larger projectile-point-hafted spear, reflecting a society becoming more specialized and interconnected.

By the beginning of the Late Prehistoric period, around A.D. 1000, Kentucky was home to complex societies that built villages, cultivated crops, and maintained extensive trade networks. Many archaeologists believe these cultures were ancestral to, or closely connected with, the Native nations encountered by Europeans centuries later. By the 17th century, the region was associated with peoples including the Shawnee, Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Yuchi, while the Ohio Valley to the north was home to the Miami and other tribes whose influence extended into Kentucky.

The arrival of Europeans on America’s eastern shores marked the beginning of a profound transformation for Kentucky’s Indigenous peoples. Long before the first explorers and traders reached the region, European goods had already begun moving through established Native trade networks. Diseases, many previously unknown in North America, also spread ahead of direct European contact, devastating communities and in some cases wiping out entire villages. By the mid-18th century, only a handful of Native settlements remained in Kentucky, and as Euro-American settlement accelerated, many Indigenous peoples were displaced or forced westward. Their story, however, did not end. It lives on through the descendants of those communities, in the traditions they continue to preserve, and in Kentucky’s remarkably rich archaeological record, where thousands of years of Native history remain written into the landscape itself.

The first Europeans to explore Kentucky arrived in the 17th century, but permanent settlement did not begin until more than a century later. In 1775, Daniel Boone helped blaze the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap, opening the region to thousands of settlers moving west. As frontier communities grew, Kentucky County was carved from Virginia in 1776, and on June 1, 1792, Kentucky became the fifteenth state admitted to the Union.

Kentucky quickly developed an identity rooted in both agriculture and transportation. Fertile Bluegrass soil proved ideal for raising livestock, particularly horses, while the state’s abundant corn harvests and limestone-filtered water laid the foundation for a whiskey-making tradition that would eventually become the world-famous Kentucky bourbon. Rivers connected Kentucky to expanding markets, encouraging trade and the growth of towns such as Louisville and Lexington. Although Kentucky remained in the Union during the Civil War, it was a border state with divided loyalties, and more than 70 battles and skirmishes were fought within its borders. In the decades that followed, horse breeding, bourbon distilling, and agriculture remained cornerstones of the state’s economy, while coal mining and manufacturing fueled industrial growth. By the 20th century, Kentucky had become an important center for transportation, automotive production, and other modern industries.

Honoring the 250th: Kentucky’s Role in America’s Celebration

Kentucky is observing America’s Semiquincentennial through statewide initiatives, local programming, and educational outreach coordinated by the America250KY initiative. Historical societies, museums, schools, and cultural organizations across the Commonwealth are working together to explore Kentucky’s role in the nation’s story, from its frontier beginnings and Indigenous heritage to its contributions to agriculture, industry, and American culture.

Material culture plays a meaningful role in these efforts. One of the most visible initiatives is the America250KY Liberty Tree Project, a partnership between the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Daughters of the American Revolution. As part of the program, tulip poplars, Kentucky’s official state tree, are being planted in all 120 counties to commemorate the Commonwealth’s role in the nation’s founding while creating a living legacy for future generations. Inspired by the original Liberty Tree of the American Revolution, the project connects Kentucky’s landscape with the ideals that helped shape the nation.

The Semiquincentennial is also being celebrated through the traditions that have come to define Kentucky itself. Under the banner of KYAmerica250, communities across the Commonwealth are celebrating through festivals, exhibitions, performances, and heritage tourism experiences. These programs encourage residents and visitors alike to explore the people, places, and traditions that transformed frontier practices into internationally recognized symbols of Kentucky identity.

Across the Commonwealth, Kentucky’s America250 initiatives emphasize participation as much as preservation, encouraging communities to reflect on the people, places, and objects that define their local histories.

Kentucky’s Craft and Collecting Heritage

Kentucky’s material culture reflects the same frontier traditions that shaped the Commonwealth itself. From handcrafted furniture and stoneware to horse racing memorabilia and bourbon advertising, the state’s collectibles tell a story of innovation, craftsmanship, and everyday life.

Few collectibles are more closely associated with Kentucky than bourbon memorabilia and horse racing artifacts, two traditions that have become enduring symbols of the Commonwealth. Distilleries produced a wide variety of advertising pieces throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries, including embossed signs, bottles, jugs, calendars, serving trays, and the colorful tip trays and display pieces that once adorned taverns and general stores.

Meanwhile, Kentucky Derby memorabilia encompasses everything from vintage programs and admission badges to julep glasses, souvenir pins, posters, and photographs. Annual commemorative Derby glasses, each featuring a unique design, have become a collecting category all their own, documenting the history of the “Run for the Roses” through changing artwork and graphics.

The state’s two best-known traditions often come together in a unique category of Kentucky collectibles. Distilleries frequently issued commemorative decanters celebrating the Kentucky Derby, combining the Commonwealth’s world-famous whiskey heritage with its equestrian culture. Produced by companies such as Regal China for brands like Jim Beam, these decorative bottles remain highly sought after by collectors, joining limited-edition bourbon releases, Derby glasses, racing prints, and other memorabilia that celebrate two of Kentucky’s most enduring legacies.

Kentucky’s craftsmanship extends well beyond its most famous industries. The Shaker community at Pleasant Hill produced some of America’s finest examples of functional design, including ladder-back chairs, oval boxes, baskets, and other household furnishings celebrated for their simplicity and quality. Today, original Kentucky Shaker furniture and handcrafted wares remain highly sought after by collectors of American decorative arts.

The Commonwealth’s artistic traditions also include stoneware pottery, Appalachian quilts and coverlets, and the instruments associated with its rich bluegrass music heritage. Together, these objects reflect a culture where utility and artistry often went hand in hand. Collectors can help preserve these living traditions by purchasing directly from contemporary artisans, while older works should be approached with care to ensure proper provenance and ethical sourcing.

Looking Ahead: America250 Kentucky Calendar Highlights

Throughout 2026 – America250 Kentucky Statewide Programming. Educational initiatives, exhibitions, and community events marking the nation’s 250th anniversary across Kentucky.

March 26–June 25, 2026 — America250KY Liberty Tree Planting Events
To commemorate 250 years of American history and to honor Kentucky’s contributions, the Kentucky Historical Society has partnered with the Kentucky Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (KSDAR) to plant a tulip poplar tree, Kentucky’s official state tree, in each of the state’s 120 counties. The Kentucky Division of Forestry has generously donated 120 tulip poplar trees specifically for this initiative.

June 26-27, 2026 — Symposium on American Religious History
In conjunction with America’s 250th, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is hosting the inaugural Shaker Village Symposium on American Religious History. This two-day symposium convenes nationally recognized scholars to explore how religious belief has shaped American history, civic life, and ideas of freedom, equality, and pluralism—from the founding era to the present.

July 3, 2026 — Two Lights for Tomorrow
A nationwide commemorative moment observed in Georgia communities as part of the Semiquincentennial.

July 3-4, 2026 — Spirit of Seventy Six
The only place in America named Seventy Six will be an opportunity to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary and reflect on the area’s history, which dates back to about the time Kentucky became a state.

Native Americans’ role will be highlighted by a display and discussion by a local collector. The colorful and contributory history of the community of Seventy Six and the rest of Clinton County will be commemorated by a tour and stories in a printed program that should become a collectible. The contributions of military veterans will be recognized, in part, by a panel discussion following the screening of “From Honor to Medal,” the KET-aired documentary on the World War II heroism of Lt. Garlin Murl Conner and the successful community effort to secure him the Medal of Honor decades after his death. Other events include golf tournaments, fireworks, and free concerts.

July 4, 2026 — Statewide America 250 Celebrations
Communities across Kentucky will mark Independence Day with enhanced programming, including public readings of the Declaration of Independence, historical reenactments, and local Semiquincentennial festivals.

July 8, 2026 — Simultaneous Reading of the Declaration of Independence
A coordinated national observance bringing communities together through shared civic reflection.

June — August 2026 —Summer Camp, Civil War Battle Anniversaries, the Kentucky State Fair, and more.

June — September 2026 — Our American Story (National Exhibition Series)
A nationwide initiative supported by the Smithsonian Institution, featuring exhibitions and digital programming that explore the people, events, and objects that shaped the United States.

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When I was young, June meant family vacations. These were the times when my parents loaded us into the car and took us on adventures we would never forget. June still carries that sense of anticipation for me.

My parents made sure we saw things that stayed with us, like trips to the redwood and sequoia forests. Trees so massive you could drive through them or hole up in them during a winter storm. At Balch Park in Tulare County, California, we camped among those giants, hiked with my dad, and climbed onto fallen trunks that dwarfed our car. My siblings and I caught polliwogs from the small lake at the center of the campground, trying (and failing) to keep our shoes and socks dry. We fit our adolescent bodies into prehistoric granite basins known as the “Indian Bathtubs,” watched deer wander through camp at dusk, and sat at the campfire, toasting marshmallows beneath a sky so full of stars that it felt close enough to touch.

Balch Park was a place that we returned to again and again throughout my childhood.

I went back years later, in 2005, after losing both of my parents earlier in the year. My first morning, up at 6:00 AM before anyone else to make coffee, I watched as a mother deer and her two spotted fawns moved quietly out of the surrounding fog and wandered through the campsite. In that moment, I felt like my parents were there, sharing in it with me, just as they had so long ago.

Some trips were quieter, like the ones we took to Mission San Juan Capistrano and other California missions. Others were full of noise and energy. At the Flintstones Bedrock City campground during our Grand Canyon trip, my siblings and I raced down the dinosaur slide, played hide and seek in cartoonish buildings, and ate breakfast at Fred’s Diner. The wind blew fiercely at times during our stay. My dad (always prepared) had weighed down our tent before a windstorm that sent our neighbors’ tents tumbling across the campground. As a child, I shrieked with laughter as I watched tents roll across the ground like tumbleweeds. As an adult, I now feel sorry for those folks who were likely at the nearby Grand Canyon as their homes away from home went rolling across the open fields.

I took my son to see Bedrock City during a 2007 trip to the Grand Canyon while on spring break from the University of Wyoming. I watched him dart in and out of the Flintstone dwellings and slide down the dinosaur slide that I had as a child with that same sort of first-time glee that is so particular to childhood. The campground was quite a bit shabbier, but the nostalgia was just as shiny as ever.

Many of our trips fuse together in my mind. South Dakota to see Mt. Rushmore. Minnesota to see my dad’s sister. Each one added to what now feels like a collage of memories. The awe I felt as a child, looking up at Mt. Rushmore, and the joy I felt when I got to select a souvenir. Picking wild strawberries and making jam with my Meema and Aunt Aulie, and camping with my cousin Ruby in a tent in the yard. These fragments of my childhood surface whenever I’m feeling particularly sentimental.

Growing up in Buena Park, California, meant regular trips close to home—Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and the Japanese Deer Park. Even as a kid, I knew how lucky I was to live in such close proximity to the Happiest Place on Earth. With everyone together, those outings felt like mini vacations in themselves.

These were some of the best days of my childhood, back when our family was whole. Not because everything was perfect, but because everything was new. Every trip held discovery. Every stop had the potential to become a story I would never forget.

As adults, we still travel. We still seek out those experiences. But it’s different. We plan more. We carry more. The sense of discovery is still there, but it’s quieter.

And so, summer doesn’t feel quite the same.

Sometimes I wonder if my parents felt that, too.

Collect.com. Connecting collectors to what matters. Search our collector’s database for services, events, resources, and articles about the collectibles you love.

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June 2, 2026 – Goldin, an internationally recognized auction house known for rare and record-breaking collectible sales, today opened its USA 250th Anniversary Historical Auction. Celebrating the country’s semiquincentennial, the auction presents a curated collection of historically significant artifacts tracing the full arc of American identity – from the nation’s founding to the modern era.

The auction is anchored by a July 1776 Exeter Broadside copy of the Declaration of Independence, one of only ten surviving copies of this specific edition and one of two Exeter broadsides to appear on the auction block in over a century. Printed in Exeter, New Hampshire, by publisher Robert Luist Fowle in the immediate wake of the Declaration’s signing, the broadside circulated the principles of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness across the colonies. The offered copy is of the esteemed Goodspeed-Sang-Streeter provenance, treated by Washington Conservation Studio in 2025, and presented in a 32-by-36-inch framed display with every word of Jefferson’s founding missive remaining entirely legible 250 years later.

Founding Era material in the auction further includes a Nov. 12, 1776, George Washington-signed letter penned at a pivotal moment in the Revolutionary War, beseeching Colonel Daniel Hitchcock to raise capable officers for the Continental Army. Also featured is a 1795-1804 Alexander Hamilton Handwritten, Twice-Signed Law Ledger Presented to the New York Law Institute, a remarkable document in the hand of one of the nation’s most consequential Founding Fathers, spanning nearly a decade of Hamilton’s legal career. A Feb. 6, 1783, first official act implementing the Peace Treaty signed by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay that ended the American Revolution bears the intact red wax seals of all three Founding Fathers, and a Feb. 12, 1786, Benjamin Franklin handwritten letter articulates the philosophical basis of American independence.

The presidential thread of the auction is further deepened by a trio of single-signed baseballs from three commanders-in-chief: a Herbert Hoover Single-Signed OAL Cronin Baseball, a Harry Truman Single-Signed OAL Cronin Baseball, and a Dwight D. Eisenhower Single-Signed OAL Harridge Baseball, together representing a rare grouping of presidential signatures on one of America’s most enduring symbols.

Highlighting pivotal moments throughout American history, the auction extends well into the 20th century. Dated August 2nd, 1939, an Albert Einstein-signed letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt urging the development of the United States’ nuclear program is included. A D.B. Cooper ransom banknote fragment, considered a Holy Grail of collecting as one of the only physical pieces ever tied to the infamous 1971 skyjacking, represents an American mystery of the modern era. A 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth Signed Card connects the nation’s pastime to one of its most iconic cultural figures, while a Bob Ross-painted U.S. bomber jacket circa 1980 offers collectors an artifact connected to one of the most recognizable names in American popular culture.

The auction also includes a Berlin Wall “Iron Curtain” Concrete “Go” Section Monument, measuring 12 by 4 by 8 feet and weighing 6,000 pounds, one of the most physically commanding artifacts of the Cold War era ever offered at public auction.

Rounding out the sale with a modern sports dimension are a Jan. 5, 2026, Stephen Curry Game-Used, Photo-Matched, Twice-Signed, Inscribed Nike Kobe 4 Protro “Gold Medal” Sneakers, worn during a 27-point performance and accompanied by a Letter of Provenance from the Stephen Curry Collection, and a Feb. 18, 2026, Olympic Quarterfinals Dylan Larkin Game-Used Nike Team USA Hockey Jersey from the gold medal-winning United States Olympic hockey team.

Part of “Goldin’s Summer of Greatness,” the USA 250th Anniversary Historical Auction is now open for bidding at Goldin.com from June 2 to July 8, with extended bidding beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET.

With a superb summer slate, Goldin is the go-to destination across entertainment, sports, and history this season. 

Additional ongoing and upcoming auctions include the Vintage Star Wars Auction, open through June 3; the May Elite Auction, open through June 6; the Global Football Auction, open through June 13; the Combat Sports Auction, open through June 15; and the Goldin 100, open through June 28.

About Goldin:

Founded in 2012 by Ken Goldin – star of the hit Netflix series King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch – Goldin is a globally recognized leader in trading cards, collectibles, and memorabilia. Now an eBay company, Goldin is the premier destination for high-end items across sports, pop culture, entertainment, and history. The company has surpassed $1 billion in total sales, with Ken Goldin personally responsible for more than $2 billion over his decades-long career. Trusted by both seasoned collectors and new hobbyists, Goldin routinely breaks records for the most valuable memorabilia ever sold. It is the official auction partner of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, and Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum. To consign items, visit sell@goldin.co. Learn more at Goldin.com, and on Instagram and X.

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Antique porcelain can turn up in unexpected places, like an attic or thrift store. How about underwater? An 18th-century shipwreck off the coast of Norway has yielded its first artifacts, including a trove of blue-and-white Chinese porcelain.

Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, called the find “extraordinary.” Nicknamed the Porcelain Wreck, it is 600 meters (almost 1,000 feet) deep in the Skagerrak, a strait between Norway and Denmark. It was discovered by Espen Saastad, who owns the Saastad Ur watch company and operates a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and survey company. He is working with the Norwegian Maritime Museum to recover artifacts. 

To study the shipwreck and retrieve its cargo, researchers went out to sea with a remotely operated drone. In addition to the porcelain, the researchers recovered items such as chandeliers believed to have been made in Germany or England, bottles, stemmed glassware, and grain. Based on the ship’s structure, which appears to be a Northern European merchant ship called a galliot, it is believed to date to the 18th century, a conclusion supported by the porcelain.

“This marks a new era for Norwegian archaeology,” said Nina Refseth, Director of the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History Foundation. The Porcelain Wreck is the deepest shipwreck with the most intact cargo found in Norwegian waters. The Norwegian Maritime Museum is studying and conserving the retrieved cargo and has some on display in a pop-up exhibit.

The romance of sunken treasure makes shipwreck salvage exciting to researchers and collectors alike, but it’s also a valuable source of insight into the history of trade and decorative arts. For example, museum officials observed the class structures reflected by the ship’s cargo. At the time of the wreck, chandeliers were used by the upper class, but Chinese porcelain was accessible to the growing middle class.

Additional research on the wreck and its artifacts is in progress. Researchers hope to identify possible monograms on the porcelain and conduct DNA analysis of grain samples to determine where the ship came from and who its customers might have been. Further mysteries to be explored include how the ship sank and whether there were any survivors.  

All images courtesy of Norwegian Maritime Museum.

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Standing in the quiet of the gallery before the first visitors arrive, I can’t help but feel the weight—and wonder—of 250 years of American history surrounding me. Every object tells its own story: a well-worn Civil War uniform, a gleaming Centennial memento, a humble kitchen appliance that once symbolized modern life. Together, they trace the arc of a nation still finding its way between promise and progress.

250 Years of Progress: A Celebration of Our Nation’s Independence and Endurance isn’t just an exhibit—it’s a conversation with our past. Each artifact reflects the ingenuity, struggle, and resilience that have shaped our shared identity, from the Declaration of Independence to women’s suffrage, from the Emancipation Proclamation to the space age. The display journeys through wars, waves of immigration, and moments of hardship and renewal, leading right up to the defining experiences of our own century, such as the September 11 attacks and the COVID pandemic.

Scattered among these relics are reminders of how ordinary lives have powered extraordinary change: Native American artistry, the familiar hum of an old electric fan, the miracle of the radio, telegraph, and telephone, and the rise of the internet. These are not just American inventions and achievements; they’re extensions of everyday hope and ingenuity with the same spirit that carried a fledgling nation through 250 years of reinvention. Each item carries the weight of someone’s everyday life, lived against the backdrop of a young nation still learning what “freedom” would mean in practice. As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, those humble survivors feel less like artifacts and more like witnesses.

I am very proud to have curated this exhibit, which is on display at The Ridgewood Historical Society Museum every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and by special arrangement for groups until December 20, 2026. The museum is located on the grounds of the Old Paramus Reformed Church in Ridgewood, New Jersey, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The church, organized in 1725, has served the congregation for more than 300 years. The first church served as the headquarters of General George Washington on numerous occasions. During the American Revolution, it was used as an encampment, barracks, hospital, prison, and court. The second part of Major General Charles Lee’s court-martial, resulting from his retreat at the battle of Monmouth, was held at the church, which also hosted historical figures such as Generals George Clinton, William Alexander (Lord Stirling), Anthony Wayne, and the Marquis de Lafayette. The property has housed a succession of schoolhouses since 1730. The present church structure was completed in 1800 using stones from the original church. The schoolhouse that houses the museum was built in 1872 and stands less than two miles from the Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus, the home of Aaron Burr and a National Historic Landmark.

For a small museum, the collection packs a punch. Included in the exhibit is a letter from George Washington to Brigadier General David “Black David” Forman, who was a relentless patriot to some but was described as ruthless, harsh, and brutal by others. The large two-page document was written by Alexander Hamilton and then signed by Washington. Also featured are a document signed by Abraham Lincoln, a playbill from Our American Cousin, several genuine photographs of Lincoln and his family, General Robert E. Lee, William Tecumseh Sherman, and John Wilkes Booth, and a document signed by Governor George Clinton.

The main room houses colonial furnishings, early clocks, a variety of American inventions, and early pewter. Also included are photographs of military personnel from the Civil War through World War II and six vignettes, including a Revolutionary War figure, a Civil War figure, a WWII nurse, a WWII Red Cross nurse, Betsy Ross, and a 1920 voting station featuring an autographed campaign poster of Harding and a suffragette casting her first ballot. Our 18th-century corner cupboard, present in the vicarage during Washington’s stay, features a white, blue, and gilt tea service that once belonged to signer of the Declaration Samuel Chase, and a phenomenal Washington mourning sampler of which only four are known.  

On display in our gallery are WWI and WWII military posters, military accessories and uniforms from the revolution up through Vietnam, colonial currency, portraits and photographs of servicemen, and historic, patriotic engravings.

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The post Tracing 250 Years of American Life appeared first on Antique Trader.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — The Peninsula Beverly Hills will once again transform into one of Los Angeles’ most exciting cultural stages as the hotel, in partnership with Julien’s Auctions and TCM (Turner Classic Movies), presents 100 Years of Marilyn, a landmark auction event commemorating what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s centennial birthday.  

Taking place live at the hotel at 10 a.m. PT on June 4, 2026, and online at www.juliensauctions.com, the event will bring together collectors, stylists, tastemakers, museums, industry insiders, and hotel guests for an immersive experience that blends luxury hospitality, Hollywood glamour, fashion, storytelling, and performance.  

Far beyond a traditional auction, the event reflects The Peninsula Beverly Hills’ evolving partnership with Julien’s Auctions. Together, the two brands have created a new kind of entertainment in Los Angeles, where guests are not simply observing history but stepping directly into the energy and unpredictability in real time. Inside the hotel’s Verandah Room, bidders compete alongside celebrity phone-ins, collectors, and institutions as auctioneers command the room with the pace and excitement of a theatrical performance. The atmosphere has become as compelling as the objects themselves.  

As affluent audiences seek experiences that are truly one-of-a-kind, these auctions have emerged as major social moments at the intersection of luxury hospitality and entertainment. Recent events hosted at the hotel have generated significant attention across fashion, celebrity, collecting, and lifestyle circles, reinforcing The Peninsula Beverly Hills as a destination where Hollywood storytelling unfolds in front of a live audience.  

“Through our partnership with Julien’s Auctions, we are creating experiences that feel deeply connected to the spirit and artistry that define Los Angeles,” said Rebecca Goldberg, Hotel Manager of The Peninsula Beverly Hills. “What makes these events so special is not only the history behind the pieces, but the atmosphere inside the room. There is an excitement and sense of access that guests cannot find anywhere else.”  

While Marilyn Monroe serves as the inspiration behind the event, the live experience itself is designed to immerse guests in the glamour, storytelling, and emotion surrounding Hollywood history. The auction will feature an exceptional collection of Marilyn Monroe artifacts spanning fashion, film, photography, and personal memorabilia, many of which will be publicly exhibited for the first time before entering private collections. Highlights include the wooden front gates from Marilyn Monroe’s Brentwood home, her annotated Something’s Got to Give script, and a 1950s Jeanne Lanvin evening gown embellished with sequins and pearls, alongside never-before-seen photographs and personal beauty items from her final film production. 

“Julien’s Auctions has shared a long history with Marilyn Monroe, from presenting her landmark estate auction in 2005 to the record-breaking sale of the iconic dress she wore while singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to President John F. Kennedy. This remarkable collection offers fans, collectors, and museums around the world a rare opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of an extraordinary woman whose beauty, talent, intelligence, vulnerability, and enduring mystique continue to captivate generations,” said Martin Nolan, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions.  

Recent collaborations between The Peninsula Beverly Hills and Julien’s Auctions have included Bold Luxury: Gwyneth Paltrow – The Lexicon of Style: The Archival Edit, And Just Like That…, and Princess Diana’s Style & A Royal Collection. The partnership continues to establish the hotel as a destination for immersive experiences while redefining the role of luxury hospitality. 

About Julien’s Auctions

For the moments that matter.  You know that moment when the lights dim, right before your favorite band starts playing? Or that feeling right before the credits roll on a movie that changed your whole world in an instant? The air is charged with anticipation, and words are never going to do it justice because you just really had to be there. 

At Julien’s Auctions, we exist to bring those moments back into your life through iconic artifacts and one-of-a-kind collections. Whether collaborating directly with artists, partnering with legendary estates, or working closely with discerning collectors, our auctions make culture pop with the promise of discovery and reconnection. From Hollywood legends to fashion icons, our sales celebrate luxury, history, and the stories that define generations.  

From Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Ringo Starr to Lady Gaga, Banksy, and Kurt Cobain — from Los Angeles to the world, we are where originals find their kind. For more info, visit juliensauctions.com.

About the Peninsula Beverly Hills

Nestled in the heart of Beverly Hills, where palm-lined boulevards meet the glamour of Rodeo Drive, The Peninsula Beverly Hills offers an exclusive retreat. Tucked within verdant tropical gardens, the luxury hotel imparts the feeling of being worlds away, while remaining steps from Los Angeles’ iconic attractions. Inside, 195 guestrooms, including 38 suites and 18 private villas, evoke the timeless elegance and comforts of a private residence, inspired by classic Renaissance design. Upscale dining meets fine art at the restaurant, The Belvedere, while The Living Room features an inviting setting for the beloved Afternoon Tea service, accompanied by the gentle notes of a live harp. Perched atop the renowned hotel, The Roof Garden is a sun-drenched escape featuring a shimmering pool, private cabanas, and refined alfresco dining. Personalized wellness meets refined serenity at The Peninsula Spa, a sanctuary of innovative treatments and tailored experiences. For more information, please visit www.peninsula.com/beverlyhills.  

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America’s 250th anniversary takes center stage in the June issue of Kovels Antique Trader, where history, craftsmanship, and patriotism intersect in fascinating ways. From folk art rooted in tradition to objects that tell the story of a nation, this issue explores the many ways Americans have expressed identity, creativity, and pride across generations.

Discover how self-taught artists helped shape the American folk art tradition in A Nation of Folk, and explore the enduring appeal of patriotic collectibles, including flag pins that have celebrated national milestones for more than a century. The issue also examines trench art, revealing how soldiers transformed the remnants of war into meaningful keepsakes and works of art.

Jewelry collectors will enjoy Pamela Wiggins Siegel’s look at R.J. Graziano, tracing five decades of fashion jewelry design and changing consumer tastes. History enthusiasts can journey through 250 years of American life with the Ridgewood Historical Society and learn how the Newport Show is celebrating the Semiquincentennial through antiques and decorative arts.

As always, you’ll find auction highlights, market insights, collector resources, and sales reports featuring everything from Pennsylvania folk art and tramp art to Southern pottery and self-taught masterpieces. A nostalgic From the Editor reflection on childhood summers adds a personal note to an issue filled with American history, craftsmanship, and tradition. Whether your interests lean toward Americana, jewelry, folk art, or historical artifacts, the June issue offers plenty of inspiration for your next collecting adventure.

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PITTSFIELD, MASS. — Fontaine’s Auction Gallery presents an important Two-Day Fine & Decorative Arts Auction June 6-7 to include over 1,000 lots of 19th/20th century lighting, Tiffany lamps, art glass, leaded glass windows, fine silver, porcelain, marble and bronze statuary, Asian items, paintings, American and European furniture, clocks, fine jewelry, and coins. The sale will feature an array of Tiffany windows from Forest Hill Abbey, Kansas City, Mo., a Paul Evans Deep Relief cabinet, a fine Tiffany Studios “Dogwood” chandelier, and an extensive St. Gauden’s $20 Double Eagle gold coin collection. Further highlighting the sale will be over 200 Tiffany Studios items, including examples of the Dragonfly, Peony, Poppy, Poinsettia, Dogwood, and Lotus. Preview by appointment only June 4-5. Bidding is available via internet, phone, and absentee.

Leading the highly curated selection of Tiffany Studios lighting will be several variations of its popular “Dragonfly” table lamp from over three decades. A circa 1905 example ($100/125,000) has a 20-inch-diameter shade impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York” and a base impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York, 28615” with the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company monogram. A circa 1910 Dichroic “Dragonfly” table lamp ($80/100,000) has a same-sized shade impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York, 1495” with a base impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York, 395.” Also crossing the block will be a “Drophead Dragonfly” table lamp ($80/120,000), circa 1920, which has a “Roman” base and a 22-inch diameter shade impressed “Tiffany Studios, NY, 1507.”

Floral themed Tiffany lamps are among its most perennially popular and on offer are a  “Lotus” table lamp ($80/120,000), circa 1910, having a 26 ¼-inch diameter shade impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York, 1524-11” as well as a fine “Peony” table lamp ($70/90,000) circa 1910, in leaded glass, confetti glass and patinated bronze with an 18-inch diameter shade impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York, 1475-28.”

While table lamps typically dominate the selection of Tiffany lighting at Fontaine’s, this auction boasts not one but three standout chandeliers. Estimated at $100/150,000 is a “Dogwood” chandelier, circa 1910, impressed “Tiffany Studios, New York, 605-15” while a rarely seen Dichroic “Fish Scale” chandelier ($80/120,000), circa 1910, marked “Tiffany Studios, New York,” and with six “Tulip” shades, each marked “L.C.T.” Another rare item featured is a Tiffany Studios “Moorish” chandelier ($60/80,000), early 20th century, in blue favrile glass and patinated bronze with its stalactite shade engraved “L.C.T. Favrile, 897N.”

Among a grouping of seven Tiffany Studios landscape windows from Forest Hill Abbey, commissioned directly by Forest Hill & Calvary Cemetery, Kansas City, Mo., are several figural & scenic landscapes with vibrant sunset scenes, expected to fetch close to half a million dollars, circa 1920.

Hailing from a private collection of Connecticut comes an unusual offering for Fontaine’s, which is likely to greatly pique buyers’ interest: a collection of eighteen St. Gaudens $20 Double Eagle gold coins, ranging from 1907 to 1928 (No 1921-P), estimated at $60/$80,000.

Rounding out the auction will be a rare Bigelow, Kennard & Co., “Cherry Blossom” chandelier with three satellite shades ($35/45,000), early 20th Century, in leaded glass and bronze; a signed Paul Evans deep relief cabinet, Model PE-42 ($20/30,000), circa 1975, and a fine English sterling silver eight-piece tea and coffee service, Lionel Alfred Crichton, London, weighing over 425 troy ounces ($25/35,000).

Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is the oldest operating auction gallery in Western Massachusetts. It has earned the trust of collectors, investors, and gallery owners worldwide. All cataloged lots receive nationwide exposure to the firm’s database of more than 30,000 select buyers. Fontaine’s Auction Gallery has been voted “Best Antique Auction Gallery” eight times by the public.

Fontaine’s is actively seeking quality items for all upcoming auctions, to include furniture, lighting, art glass, clocks and watches, paintings, porcelains, bronze and marble statuary, Asian items, art glass and cameo glass, Russian objects, silver, musical, coin-op, advertising, toys, banks, gaming, and carousel items.

The firm will buy outright or accept on consignment. Call 413-448-8922 and ask to speak with John Fontaine, or you can email Mr. Fontaine at info@fontainesauction.com. For more information about the company and the upcoming auction schedule, visit www.fontainesauction.com. Updates are posted frequently. Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is located at 1485 West Housatonic Street (Route 20), Pittsfield, Mass. For more information, visit www.FontainesAuction.com or call 413-448-8922.

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A Brief History of the Free State

Kansas has been home to many Indigenous peoples, including the Kansa (also Kanza or Kaw), for whom the state is named, and the Wichita people, whose ancestors built the great city of Etzanoa, today a historical and archaeological site, by 1450. The first Europeans to reach the region were Spanish conquistadors in the mid-1500s. The area became part of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Fort Leavenworth, still an active military installation today, was built in 1827.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. Conflict over whether these territories would allow slavery led to violent clashes between pro- and anti-slavery factions, giving the area and time period the nickname of “Bleeding Kansas.” Kansas joined the Union as a free state in 1861. In fact, the “Free State” is still one of its unofficial nicknames. Starting in 1862, the Homestead Act drew settlers to the state and encouraged agricultural development. Many Black Americans chose to settle in Kansas because of its antislavery history.

As more Americans settled in the West and developed the land, cattle trails were established, and the era of the Wild West began. Kansas had many cow towns, including Abilene, Wichita, and, most famously (or infamously), Dodge City. In the 1870s, Brewster M. Higley, a Kansas doctor, captured some of the West’s most enduring images with the poem “My Western Home.” His poem would later be set to music as “Home on the Range,” which was chosen as the state song in 1947.

Agriculture remained the most important industry in Kansas for decades, which meant the state was hit hard by the Dust Bowl and Great Depression of the 1930s. During World War II, aviation manufacturing helped the state’s economy recover. Kansas is still a leader in the aerospace industry today.

In 1950, a major step toward desegregation began in Topeka, Kansas.  The Topeka Chapter of the NAACP organized a class-action suit of 13 families against the Topeka Board of Education, which later combined with cases from other states and reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 1954 as Brown v. Board of Education. The landmark decision brought an end to racially segregated schools.

Honoring the 250th: Kansas’ Role in America’s Celebration

Kansas is observing America’s Semiquincentennial through statewide initiatives, local programming, and educational outreach coordinated by the Kansas 250 Commission. Historical societies, museums, schools, cultural organizations, and community groups across the state are working together to highlight Kansas’ contributions to American history.

The Kansas 250 Commission is driven by the state motto, “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” Latin for “To the stars through difficulties,” to honor the individuals and communities who shaped state and national history by facing and triumphing over hardships. Whether braving the elements, fighting against discrimination, or tackling industrial challenges, Kansans have helped shape their state’s and nation’s history.

Material culture plays an important role in Kansas’ celebrations. Museums, historic sites, and community festivals are incorporating exhibitions, demonstrations, and educational programs that showcase the objects and traditions that define the state’s past, from Indigenous traditions to frontier tales to agriculture and industry.

Kansas’ Frontier and Collectibles Heritage

Kansas’ history offers collectors a wide range of material tied to the state’s role in westward expansion and the struggle over slavery. Historically minded collectors seek documents, maps, and ephemera related to Bleeding Kansas, statehood, and the Civil War. The state’s frontier legacy also fuels interest in Wild West memorabilia, particularly items associated with Dodge City, whose reputation as one of the most colorful cow towns of the American West continues to captivate the public imagination.

Agriculture has long shaped Kansas’ identity, and that influence is evident in the state’s collectible advertising. From flour mills and farm equipment manufacturers to grain and wheat-related promotions, Kansas businesses produced a wide variety of advertising pieces that remain popular with collectors today. These items offer a tangible connection to the industry that helped build the state’s economy.

Kansas has also produced several figures whose accomplishments continue to attract collectors. Aviation enthusiasts seek memorabilia related to Kansas native Amelia Earhart, while photography collectors value the work of Gordon Parks, the pioneering photographer, filmmaker, and composer born in Fort Scott. Parks’ photographs are celebrated for both their artistic merit and their documentation of American life.

The state’s contributions extend into the world of design as well. Kansas native Milo Baughman became one of the most influential figures in Mid-Century Modern furniture, and his work remains highly sought after by collectors. Together, these diverse categories reflect a state whose cultural heritage reaches far beyond the prairie.

Looking Ahead: America250 Kansas Calendar Highlights

Throughout 2026 – America250 Kansashttps://www.travelks.com/kansas-250/events/ Statewide Programming: Educational initiatives, exhibitions, and community events marking the nation’s 250th anniversary across Kansas.

Throughout 2026 – America at 250, Watkins Museum of History: The Watkins Museum of History is holding talks, tours, and events all year to explore American history and the roles Kansas and its people play in it.

April 4, 2026 – March 25, 2028 – Revolutions: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union: An exhibition exploring pivotal moments in American history, from the Revolutionary War to women’s suffrage to the Civil Rights Movement to the bicentennial, through works from the Wichita Art Museum collection.

June 2 – July 5, 2026 – Landmark Exhibit! Opening the Vault at the Presidential Libraries, Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum: A special exhibit of important historical documents from the National Archives.

June 5 – 6, 2026: Celebrating America’s 250th at the Red, White and Good Ol’ Days, Fort Scott: In its 45th year, the Good Ol’ Days Festival is bigger and better than ever to celebrate America’s 250th. The street fair features a parade, live shows, music, vendors, kids’ activities, and more.

July 3, 2026 — Two Lights for Tomorrow: A nationwide commemorative moment observed in Indiana communities as part of the Semiquincentennial.

July 3, 2026 – The Des Moines Symphony’s 32nd Annual Yankee Doodle Pops: The largest free marching band competition in the Midwest celebrates America’s 250th with “Bands, Birthdays, and Brass.”

July 4, 2026—Statewide America250 Celebrations: Communities across Kansas will mark Independence Day with enhanced programming, including public readings of the Declaration of Independence, historical reenactments, and local Semiquincentennial festivals.

July 8, 2026 — Simultaneous Reading of the Declaration of Independence: A coordinated national observance bringing communities together through shared civic reflection.

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www.estatejewelryexchangeusa.com

Email: estatejewelryexchangeusa@gmail.com

172 N Tustin St #301
Orange, CA 92867
Phone: 714-388-6471
Hours: Monday – Sunday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Private evaluations by appointment only.

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