The Colonial Dames of America

08/27/2026

With all the tributes and accolades being shared for Dolly Parton today, Alamance Battleground would like to recognize a fascinating connection to North Carolina history: Dolly Parton is probably a descendant of Captain Robert Messer, one of the Regulators executed in Hillsborough on June 19, 1771.

This connection links one of America’s most beloved entertainers to the history of the Regulator movement and the events that shaped our state over 255 years ago.

08/25/2026

CHAPTER XXIII-VA MEMBER JANE ARMFIELD
~~~Travels to Ireland with her eldest son, Claiborne, who is a book publisher. They are touring abbeys, castles and pubs! Pictured at Sean’s the oldest pub in Ireland.

08/24/2026

A meal that feels unrushed is a rare thing these days. When lunch comes with a side of history, even better.

This old tavern brings you right back to another century, with low beams, worn wood, and a dining room that feels lived in rather than staged. The kind of place where you can almost hear the clatter of plates and conversation carrying through the room. And that all-you-can-eat Southern spread has a way of making you linger a little longer than planned.

I always appreciate places that keep a little grit and character instead of polishing everything to death. You leave full, but you also leave thinking about how much life these old buildings have seen.

🔗 https://dailywise.com/state/virginia/this-historic-virginia-tavern-serves-all-you-can-eat-southern-classics/?utm_source=virginia&utm_medium=dw&utm_campaign=fb&utm_content=641284219057842

08/24/2026

08/23/2026

23rd August 1775 – King George III delivers his Proclamation of Rebellion to the Court of St James's stating that the American colonies have proceeded to a state of open and avowed rebellion.

08/22/2026

PINK AND GREEN FOR THE YOUNG DAMES
~~~of the early 20thc. By Lanvin.

From the Archive: Sweet chiffon dreams, kind readers! Two evening dresses (left designed by Jeanne Lanvin) c. 1911. Silk chiffon, tulle, floral embroidery
These dresses have a high waist silhouette, which is representative of the early 1910s…..More here: http://www.kci.or.jp/en/archives/digital_archives/1910s/KCI_155

08/22/2026

PURE WHITE WONDER

: This takes my breath away..White silk satin open robe dress with sack-back (shown), matching petticoat and stomacher. It relies on wadded and corded quilting for the subtle white on white surface ornament. Lined with white silk, it must have swayed ever so gracefully about its wearer. English, c.1750-1755. Museum of London. Museum of London

08/19/2026

FOOT CANDY

Vibrant pink/salmon silk damask shoes with metallic "lace" applied liberally to the vamp. Pointy toes and Louis heel.
Great Britain, c. 1745-50. From eng. shoe-icons.com

08/19/2026

The pleasant surprise of the sale was this Washington-Taylor flask, 8¼" high, probably made in Baltimore during the first half of the 19th century. It had been saved from an estate sale in Oklahoma. Sold along with a “Success to the Railroad” flask (not shown), 6¾" high, it appeared to be a rather ordinary aquamarine color with a presale estimate of $300/500.

Glass dealers, including specialist Jeff Noordsy, recognized that it is a rare color and the online presale bidding was at $27,000 before the sale. Noordsy was in the room and paid $42,000 for it at William A. Smith Auctions, Inc.. He said that he had bought it for resale. “It looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in the last forty years. I knew it had extremely rare coloring.”

https://www.maineantiquedigest.com/stories/from-a-windowsill-in-oklahoma-to-42000-in-new-hampshire/10623

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Published monthly, Maine Antique Digest covers the marketplace for Americana and art. Each issue features antiques news, auctions, and shows across the U.S.

08/18/2026

COASTAL VIRGINIA TABLE

Bidding on this diminutive Chippendale bedroom table advanced slowly with three phones active. Parsons purchased the circa 1770 table, with great old surface, one drop leaf, and one swing leg, from Peter Sawyer in 2003. Parsons research suggested it was from coastal Virginia or North Carolina, 1770-90. When it sold to the phones for $11,875 (est. $2000/3000) at Brunk Auctions, M.A.D. asked a staffer why it went so high. The answer: “Coastal, Virginia.”

https://www.maineantiquedigest.com/stories/parsons-collection-sold/10625

Love art and antiques? Subscribe to MAD

Published monthly, Maine Antique Digest covers the marketplace for Americana and art. Each issue features antiques news, auctions, and shows across the U.S.