Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-23
ANTIQUES ALMANAC
Farmers
Market
Popular
BY GEORGE FLYNN
star stan Writer

e~NeA gN8AA
The plain folk" were re-
sponsible for it. Now the
plain and fancy folk-and all
kinds in between-make it as
rare a colorful spectacle as
can be found in these parts.
We're referring to the
Farmers Market in Hughes
vile. Md, the newest happy
hunting ground for antiques
hunters. particularly that
species which tracks down "a
piece of refinish."
The market. held only on
Wednesdays. creates a county
fair atmosphere with its con-
glomeration of open sheds.
stands and small buildings
chockful of eggs, vegetables.
meats-and animal buildings
noisy with chickens and pigs.
A Pennsylvania couple.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harry E. Rutt,
started the market f1ve years
ago to provide an outlet for
the farm produce of the 100
Amish and Mennonite fam
lilies which settled in Charles
County.
Stalls for secondhand
goods were added later, in
the belief that inexpensive
household goods would be an
attraction for the low-income
families of the area.
Antiques Appear
Antiques turned up among
the articles offered for sale
and the rush was on. Now,
some enterprising merchants
comb Southern Pennsylvania
for relics of the past to bring
to the market.
An auction, starting at
1890 pm, stirs. the antique
hunters.
Last week." one spectator
related, two well dressed
Washington women almost
got to hair-pulling over who
got the bid on a chest"
Urged by Washington
friends to visit the market,
we journeyed to HugheSville
recently. We can report that
1t is likely that only the per-
sistent will be rewarded.
A survey of the wares an
tique-wise turned up one
pine chest suitable for refin-
ishing, a few pieces of cut
glass and some odds and
ends, including a collection
of ancient eyeglasses. Next
week, of course, the lots
may be enriched, q prospect
that always lends enchant-
ment to such places.
Unusual Sights
If you fail to collect mate
rial things, you can collect
some impressions of America,
the plain folks" the Amish
and MennoniteS, the black
and lavender clad matrons,
the fresh-c o mp exioned
daughters and the solid
looking men with boards and
straight haircuts.
Round back of the sheds
are the horses and buggies OF
the plain folk. who still
suspect the motor car.
You'll find the plain folk
aren't much for idle chatter,
but at baking pretzels or cur
ing cheese they have no peer.
The market. incidentally.
is on Route 5, about three
miles south of Hughesville.
Candlelight Tour
The annual candlelight
tour in honor of the 18th
birthday anniversary Of Nelly :
Gusts Lewis will take place
at the onetime Lewis home,
Woodlawn Plantation in
Mount Vernon, Va, from 7 to
10 pm. on Friday. Woodlawn
is located on Route /, four
miles south of the Mount
Vernon estate.
London Show
For those planning a trip
abroad this summer, a big at
traction will be the two-week
Antique Dealers Fair at Gros-
venor House, London, start
ing on June IL.
The fair, under the pat
ronage of Queen Elizabeth,
the Queen Mother, will fea-
ture loans made by members
of the royal family and by
the Worshipful Company of
GoldSmiths.
House Tour Slated
The Montgomery County
YWCA has set April II for
its annual House and Garden
Tour. Five homes, four of
them old homes, and one a
modern one, will be included
on the tour. Hours will be
from 10 am. to 4 pm. Mrs.
Jesse T. Price of Bethesda is
in charge of arrangements.