Brimfield in Hampden County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Birthplace of the World-Famous Brimfield Antique Shows

Auction Acres

— 1959 —

Birthplace of the World-Famous Brimfield Antique Shows Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2024

1. Birthplace of the World-Famous Brimfield Antique Shows Marker

Inscription. Auctioneer Gordon Reid gathered sixty-seven dealers on this farmland, aptly called “Auction Acres”. He launched the “Greatest Antique Show Under the Sun” envisioning Brimfield as the antiques center of the nation, and during his lifetime, the dream reached fruition. The show would grow to rival the nation's most prestigious antique shows and today is touted by many as the greatest outdoor antique show on Earth.

Gordon's children, Gordon Jr., Jill and Judy, carried on the tradition as Auction Acres & J&J Promotions. The Shows, simply referred to as “Brimfield”, eventually included nearby fields opening their own shows to accommodate the overflow of dealers who were vying for space at the antique center of the country.

Brimfield Shows evolved into a week-long event thrice a year, attracting thousands of dealers and show-goers from around the world and contributing millions of dollars in tourism to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

This property is listed in the National Register of Historical Places by the United States Department of the Interior

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1959.

Location.

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42° 7.287′ N, 72° 12.396′ W. Marker is in Brimfield, Massachusetts, in Hampden County. It can be reached from Main Street (U.S. 20) 0.1 miles east of Mill Lane Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 35 Main St, Brimfield MA 01010, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Massachusetts’ Knowledge Corridor,

in Pioneer Valley,

and in Greater Springfield.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Brimfield, MA War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Welcome to Brimfield (approx. 0.2 miles away); Steerage Rock (approx. 0.3 miles away); Indian Hill (approx. 0.3 miles away); Civil War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hitchcock Free Academy (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hitchcock Free Academy Great War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Civilian Conservation Corps (1933-1941) (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brimfield.

Regarding Birthplace of the World-Famous Brimfield Antique Shows. Excerpt from the National Register nomination for the Brimfield Center Historic District, which includes a part of the antique showgrounds:

The Brimfield Fair began with a few people selling antiques at an event in 1959. Since then, the thrice-yearly fair has grown to be the largest events of its kind in New England. One of the Center's properties is part of the Fair, the John and Sarah Lombard House, 35 Main Street, ca. 1840. The barn,
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2024

2. Birthplace of the World-Famous Brimfield Antique Shows Marker
recent outbuildings and pavilion associated with the house are in use for antique sales. By 1974 there were 700 dealers, and by 1981 2,350 dealers under eleven operators. Although the number of exhibitors has increased, the frequency of the fairs has remained at three.

Also see . . .
1. Brimfield Flea Market history: How Auction Acres started a tradition. In 1959, a couple traveled 5,000 miles to spread the word across New England about a new flea market idea. (Heather Morrison, MassLive.com, May 18, 2024) (Submitted on November 3, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Brimfield Center Historic District (PDF). National Register nomination for the district, which includes one Brimfield Show property and was listed in 2006. (Prepared by Bonnie Parsons and Betsy Friedberg; via National Archives) (Submitted on November 3, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. Brimfield Auction Acres. Homepage for the thrice-annual show. (Submitted on November 3, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 197 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 3, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.