Extra long lines do not deter visitors to the show.
The Sentinel · JUN 8, 2017
LEWISTOWN — The Barron sisters just took some family heirlooms on the road — Antiques Roadshow to be specific.
Jenny Barron Landis, of Lewistown, who is the executive director of the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau, and her sister, Cate Barron, of Camp Hill and formerly of Lewistown, took items that belonged to their parents, the late Dave and Audrey Barron, to the popular PBS show, Antiques Roadshow, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, for the chance to learn more about the history and value of their items from expert appraisers from across the country.
Landis took an Italian touristware pottery bowl and a painting owned by the Mifflin County Historical Society, for which she serves as a board member. But it was what Barron brought to the show that really caught the attention of the producers and appraisers.
When the sisters arrived Saturday morning, they first checked in to verify they had tickets and then were sent to the next line where their tickets were taken. From there, they were sent to a triage table to be put into categories based on the items they brought to be appraised.
Photos courtesy of JENNY LANDIS
Cate Barron, left, and Jenny Barron Landis, display a blanket from the 1948 Cotton Bowl while standing in the feedback booth at the Antiques Roadshow event Saturday in Harrisburg.
Since both had paintings, they went to the paintings line first. From there, Landis took her pottery to the appropriate line for that item, while Barron went to the sports line.
Landis explained that each line for each category led into an “inner sanctum,” or circle, where the appraisers were located and the filming was done.
Landis’ first item was a bowl given to her parents as a wedding present. The appraiser identified it as an Italian touristware pottery bowl from the 1950s, worth $50 to $75.
“The appraiser said it is really good quality and very detailed,” Landis said. “I’ve loved the bowl since I was a little girl. I’m so glad I took it.”
Once Landis was done in the pottery line, she went on a search for her sister, whom she found sitting outside the “circle.” That’s when Barron told Landis the producers and appraisers were interested in what she had.
Jenny Landis gets a selfie with Nicholas Lowry, the ‘poster guy’ and appraiser.
A producer and an appraiser came over to talk to the sisters about the sports memorabilia they brought. They were then sent to the Green Room where they had lunch and watched some of the filming on televisions in the room. Eventually, Barron signed an agreement, had her photo taken with the items and was taken back to the circle for filming.
What interested the roadshow was Dave Barron’s Penn State football memorabilia during the time he was a student manager for the team in 1947. Almost 70 years ago, the team went to the Cotton Bowl, on Jan. 1, 1948, in Dallas, Texas, and their father kept many souvenirs from the game.
What makes that particular team and season important is that it was the first varsity football team at Penn State to have two African-American athletes take the field during a time of segregation.
According to Penn State’s website, the mens’ race played an even greater role when Penn State faced the issue of playing at a segregated school in 1946, and again in 1947, when segregation ordinances in the south posed a unique challenge in placing the Nittany Lions in a bowl game.
Penn State stood behind the two players in both instances. Landis said the team said, “take us all or none,” and the “We are … Penn State” chant was born. Penn State ended up in a 13-13 tie against Southern Methodist University in the 1948 Cotton Bowl.
Appraiser Leila Dunbar, talks with Barron about her father’s Cotton Bowl memorabilia.
While the Penn State items did not ring up a huge value, Landis said she thought the show was more interested in the story that went with the memorabilia than the items themselves. She also said they had a blanket from the bowl game that belonged to Barron’s son, but since he was older than 18 and was the actual owner, the show would not film the blanket.
Landis said they had a great time and were impressed by how friendly everyone was, even the appraisers when they had to break the news that items were not worth that much.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I wanted to do everything and make the most of it,”Landis said.
One thing that was a must on her list was visiting the feedback booth that is shown at the end of every show.
“I was all about the feedback booth,” Landis said. “I love that part of the show.”
Landis gave her thoughts on the day at the booth alone because Barron was afraid she may ruin Landis’ chance of getting on the air if she shared the booth with her.
Landis’other favorite part of the day was watching people watch what other people brought to the show.
“The most interesting thing we saw was a bear-shaped barber chair,” Landis said. “It caused a commotion when he came in.”
Landis will continue to be a fan of the show and said it’s always on at their house on Monday nights.