In this episode of Antiques Mysteries, we explore a hauntingly enigmatic site tucked deep within Portland’s Forest Park: the so-called "Witch’s Castle." But this isn't your typical ghost story. Rather than simply recounting eerie tales, this episode delves into the evolution of a ruin — a structure steeped in history, myth, and memory — and what its story can reveal about the power of folklore and the passage of time. The episode is structured to take you on a journey through the layers of history surrounding this mysterious landmark, from its beginnings as a 19th-century homestead to its eventual transformation into a decaying monument to the city’s forgotten past.

The Pennsylvania Railroad was a symbol of American industrial progress, connecting regions with its reliable service and elegant trains like the Red Arrow. Its legacy endures through collectible artifacts such as dining-car silver, timetables, and photographs, reflecting a time when travel was both a privilege and an experience marked by grace.

The post highlights various art exhibitions in Portland galleries, featuring receptions at specific times. Notable galleries include Russo Lee, Augen, Froelick, Blue Sky, and more, with a suggested walking route to optimize visits. The evening offers free admission at the Portland Art Museum, encouraging exploration of diverse art.

At the turn of the 20th century, industrialization prompted a rise in ghost stories as people grappled with anxieties about technological progress. Newspapers featured personal accounts of paranormal encounters, blending the mysterious with scientific rationality, as exemplified by a 1903 tale from Salem about a sleepwalking girl perceived as a ghost, reflecting societal uncertainties.

Antiques Mysteries explores the legend of the Busby Stoop Chair, believed to cause death to those who sit in it. This episode examines various methods to determine the chair's age, including joinery techniques, tool marks, and leg shapes, contrasting craftsmanship with industrial methods. Join us to uncover the truth behind this haunted relic.

The cliffs of Cape Disappointment harbor the North Head Lighthouse, a historic beacon overlooking tumultuous waters. Its keeper, Mary Pesonen, mysteriously vanished in 1923, leaving only her dog, Jerry, behind. Today, visitors report paranormal activities around the lighthouse, suggesting Mary's spirit endures, embodying the bond between memories and place.

Advertising man and legendary antique show promoter Norman Schaut took some time out today to talk with Urban Art & Antiques about his first show in Atlantic City and the return of his Antique City, Fun Fair for Collectors outside of Philadelphia. I started by asking Schaut why he was willing to give away some 47,000 tickets to help promote the show. The following is largely a transcript of our conversation. “I believe in getting the 'wow' reaction which indeed has happened. Although at this point although it appears we are in a recovering economy, I just think it would be very exciting to have people hanging from the rafters and the floor of this huge building just jammed with the right shoppers.

James McNeill Whistler, White and Pink (The Palace), 1879/1880, pastel and black chalk, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Paul Mellon Fund and Patrons’ Permanent Fund The National Gallery of Art's Board of Trustees recently announced acceptance of a number of new acquisitions, augmenting the collections of paintings, sculpture, works on paper, and photographs. These new works included a collection of 169 photographs by Robert Adams hand-selected by the artist; the Gallery's first watercolor by Thomas Moran; its first paintings by Giorgio Vasari and Hendrik Willem Mesdag; a newly attributed portrait drawing by Michael Sweerts; and a major sculpture by Barry Le Va.

This is an important Post. Really it is. Why? Because we’re pausing here to take a look at the use of the word important. Rush Limbaugh was criticizing the use of the word by an antique dealer on his show December 1. I posted this fact on the Urban Art & Antiques Facebook page and had a reader respond with the transcript. "You know, I love this word, 'important.' I remember once I found myself in an antique store, and the salesclerk was trying to impress upon me why I should have this particular piece or that, she said, 'It's important.' The first time she said it, 'Okay, went in one ear and out the other,' and she kept describing other pieces as 'important.' I finally said, 'What's important about it?' 'Well,' she said, 'It's a very important piece.' 'Yeah, but why?

This portrait of a young boy may give the 21st Century viewer cause for pause. At first we may incorrectly assume it’s a young girl. In that case the next question will be “but what’s with the rifle?” As many who are accustomed to looking at early 19th Century portraits know, it’s actually a young boy. Certainly the way children dress has changed over the years! Here’s an excerpt from an excellent book, The Reshaping of Everyday Life: 1790-1840 (Everyday Life in America), by Jack Larkin. Up to the middle of the eighteenth century, young children of both sexes had worn women’s gowns and petticoats, until boys put on adult male clothing around the age of seven.

In 1858, John Quidor captured a unique vision of Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow through his painting The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane. Blending folklore with 19th-century American art, Quidor focused on common humanity and its dark complexities, highlighting societal anxieties amidst rapid change, making it a key American Romanticism work.

In 1920, Thomas Edison sparked public intrigue by suggesting the possibility of recording the voice of a soul, linking it to his invention of the phonograph. Though he later claimed his remarks wer…

Eastman Johnson’s painting, The Girl I Left Behind Me (1872), captures a moment of tension and yearning. The nameless girl, standing on a foggy bluff, symbolizes those left behind as her hair…

The post highlights various art exhibitions in Portland galleries, featuring receptions at specific times. Notable galleries include Russo Lee, Augen, Froelick, Blue Sky, and more, with a suggested walking route to optimize visits. The evening offers free admission at the Portland Art Museum, encouraging exploration of diverse art.

"Antique Mysteries" is a new podcast from Urban Art and Antiques hosted by antique dealer Melissa. Each episode investigates intriguing stories behind historical items. The premiere discusses a haunting 19th-century doll, blending insights on antique craftsmanship and the idea that some objects hold intentional significance, echoing past narratives that persist.

High on a limestone ridge above the winding streets of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the Crescent Hotel rises like a dream—or a warning. Built in 1885 as a luxury resort for the fashionable elite, its …

Step back to a time when Portland’s drawing rooms hummed with questions for the beyond. Whispers in the Parlor, the latest episode of Antiques Mysteries, revisits the Portland’s brief but fevered b…