'Antiques Roadshow' is visiting Crystal Bridges in May. Here's what to know

Greta Cross, Springfield News-Leader
Updated ·4 min read
A barn becomes a studio during an “Antiques Roadshow” appraisal.
A barn becomes a studio during an “Antiques Roadshow” appraisal.

For nearly 30 years, collectors of antiques across the country have eagerly awaited the chance to learn whether their collections are worth a pretty penny on public television. This spring, folks in the Ozarks will be one step closer to this opportunity.

"Antiques Roadshow," a PBS television program, is visiting Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art on Tuesday, May 14, for a day-long appraisal event. During the event, expert appraisers will provide free, verbal evaluations of antiques and collectibles for the program's 29th season.

“Holding events at locations like Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art provides our guests and audiences a chance to experience culturally rich places, complete with gorgeous architecture, art and nature,” executive producer Marsha Bemko said in a news release. “Crystal Bridges provides a beautiful backdrop to capture appraisals and take our audience ‘backstage’ to see and learn about places that they might otherwise miss.”

“Antiques Roadshow” Executive Producer Marsha Bemko.
“Antiques Roadshow” Executive Producer Marsha Bemko.

How do you participate?

Admission to the "Antiques Roadshow" appraisal event at Crystal Bridges is free, but tickets are required. As of Monday, tickets are available through three sweepstakes and contests: the "Antiques Roadshow" Sweepstakes, "Antiques Roadshow" Social Media Sweepstakes and Early Bird Tickets Contest.

Sweepstakes

To enter, folks must complete an online form by Monday, March 18. The form is accessible on the PBS website at pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/tickets/. Winners will be announced in late March and each winner will receive two free tickets. Only one entry is allowed per household and email address.

Social Media Sweepstakes

To enter the Social Media Sweepstakes, folks must follow "Antiques Roadshow" on Instagram and comment on the post that indicates the sweepstakes. The comment must include the name of the city the entrant wants to attend and a tag of another Instagram user. The social media sweepstakes closes Thursday, Feb. 29 and winners will be announced in early March. Each winner will receive two free tickets. Up to 50 winners will be selected.

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Early Bird Tickets Contest

The Early Bird Tickets Contest is a way for folks to describe what items they would bring to the appraisal event. Winners will be selected by the show's producers based on items that pique their interest.

To enter, folks must complete an online form by Monday, March 18. The form will be accessible on the PBS website. The form will ask entrants to describe the items they would bring to the appraisal event in 20 words or less, a brief story about the item in 200 words or less and up to five photos. The selection process will begin in mid-March and each winner will receive two tickets to the event. Up to 20 winners will be selected for the event at Crystal Bridges.

What happens if you win tickets to an appraisal event?

After receiving notification of winning tickets, folks will indicate timeslot preferences for their attendance. Timeslots are organized as morning (7:30-10 a.m.), midday (10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) and afternoon (2-4:30 p.m.). The only exception to this is that Early Bird Tickets Contest winners will be asked to arrive at 6:30 a.m., according to the "Antiques Roadshow" Tour FAQ.

Will tickets be available at the event, day-of?

No, tickets will not be available during the day of the appraisal event. All tickets will be distributed ahead of the event.

What can you expect during the appraisal event?

STURBRIDGE - Bearing bags and boxes, fortune hunters wait in the “Antiques Roadshow” triage line for their chance to get their items appraised at Old Sturbridge Village on Tuesday.
STURBRIDGE - Bearing bags and boxes, fortune hunters wait in the “Antiques Roadshow” triage line for their chance to get their items appraised at Old Sturbridge Village on Tuesday.

Participants are encouraged to arrive to the appraisal event 30 minutes before their distinguished timeslot to keep the event moving along. Folks are also encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and bring portable chairs, as they will have to wait in line.

Each participant will be able to bring up to two items for appraisal. They will need to be able to transport and carry the items they bring on their own. The "Antiques Roadshow" Tour FAQ indicates that folks can bring collections of items, if the items in the collection are "closely related."

As for the appraisals themselves, "Antiques Roadshow" appraisers will only provide verbal appraisals, not written ones.

Each "Antiques Roadshow" appraisal event features about 65 different appraisers covering 23 different categories, according to the "Antiques Roadshow" Tour FAQ. Participants are not allowed to ask appraisers if they are interested in buying or selling the item at the event. However, participants may reach out to appraisers after the fact.

What items are not allowed at the appraisal event?

  • Modern firearms

  • Vehicles and bicycles

  • Stamps

  • Stock certificates

  • Paper currency and coins

  • Fossils

  • Glass fire extinguishers

  • Ammunition and explosives

  • Items made of elephant ivory or rhinoceros horn

When will the episode air on television?

The 29th season of "Antiques Roadshow" will premiere in January 2025.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: 'Antiques Roadshow' is coming to Crystal Bridges in May. What to know