American Picker goes antiquing in New Oxford, Pa.
Mike Wolfe, the tall guy in the ‘American Pickers’ TV duo, made a well-received appearance at Penn State York’s Pullo Family Performing Arts Center in 2011. There, he told of a visit to New Oxford, the epicenter for antique collecting in York and Adams counties. Also of interest: Springetts collector attracts ‘Antiques Roadshow’s’ Kenos and Northwestern York County flag expert: ‘I was interested in my nation’s heritage’ and Of York antiquarian Joe Kindig III: ‘He is generous with his knowledge’ .
In the hours before a presentation to a big crowd at Penn State York, Mike Wolfe of the History Channel’s “American Pickers” fame practiced his craft in quiet New Oxford. Well, he at least went antiquing in that local mecca for that hobby.
Wolfe and his sidekick, Frank Fritz (the short one with the beard) are known for picking.
But one gets the impression that Wolfe did not have to work hard in New Oxford’s well-ordered antique shops… .
In his speech, Mike told of an encounter with an antique shop clerk in that Adams County town.
A picture of the American Picker was on the wall, and he told the clerk that he was in the photograph.
The clerk gave little response.
Mike took off his ball cap and said, No, it’s really me.
The clerk perked up, he said, maybe a little saying: Oh, yeah.
(He probably doesn’t know that measured response is the Pennsylvania Dutch idea of a standing ovation.)
In his presentation, Wolfe said he sees his work with antiques as very much an educational play, helping hone viewers’ sense of discovery about history, its stories and its artifacts. He particularly has a heart for young people, who are really responding to the discoveries of the televised pickers. An American Pickers series aimed at young people is in the works. (In my little corner of the world, I’m gratified, too, about how many high school-aged people access this blog. It’s possible to see estimates of their usage.)
Oh yes, Mike Wolfe picked something in New Oxford.
Some type of small accessory for a vehicle, an obvious treasure for Mike Wolfe, a cycle and vehicle enthusiast.
Archives
– Of course, you can always search for York Town Square posts on Google. For example, when you search for yorktownsquare.com and New Oxford, you get this.
*Edited, 3/8/12
