History

The Western Reserve Academy Antiques Festival was born in 1982 when a group of Pioneer Women, led by Rosemary Burner- mother of current headmaster Christopher Burner, WRA Class of ‘80--tried a new kind of fundraiser. They brought premier antique dealers and the public to WRA’s campus for a major, one-day outdoor show on Labor Day. Their idea was a stunning success!

Dealers rented booth space, the public purchased tickets, and the festival became the biggest fundraiser of the Pioneer Women’s Association (PWA). Over the years, the festival brought in more than $1 million to support PWA’s mission, and funded speakers, computer equipment, dorm renovations, and more.

Each festival was supported by hundreds of volunteers, who spent thousands of hours making food, staffing the gates, preparing breakfast, selling antiques and popcorn, and proudly showing off WRA’s beautiful campus to the public. Marianne Oberlin, who still lives on Aurora Street in Hudson, was chairwoman of the first event. “This type of fund-raiser is a first time around for us,” she told the local press in 1982. “The historic academy grounds and buildings lend themselves perfectly for such an event.”

The Hudson Hub-Times reported that among the collectibles offered for sale in 1982 were “many kinds of glass favored by collectors: cut glass, pattern glass, carnival glass, depression greens, and pinks and amber.” Another attraction that year was the presence of Alice Stark Wilson, “the silhouette lady” who cut silhouettes on the spot.

Gourmet food has always been a hallmark of the festival. Thirty-two years ago, the menu included what was then the “latest rage” – croissant sandwiches. The menu also included gazpacho, quiche and cheesecake, all prepared by the PWA members and their friends. In some recent years—and again in 2013- the food has been catered by Hudson’s Restaurant.