CHARLEVOIX — They came with oil paintings and heirloom quilts, Depression-era glass and duck decoys, comic books and carved chairs — each item a vessel of family history, personal memory or long-forgotten legacy. On Tuesday, July 1, those treasures took center stage at Castle Farms as “Antiques Roadshow” filmed in Charlevoix.
More than 4,000 guests made their way through the gates of the iconic Northern Michigan venue for the chance to uncover the history and value behind their belongings. Selected from over 15,000 applicants, ticket holders came from across the state and country — some hauling furniture in wagons or pushing antiques in strollers — all chasing the magic that has made “Antiques Roadshow” a PBS staple for three decades.
“It’s not just the objects,” said Demee Gambulos, director of brand marketing and audience development for the show. “It’s the stories behind them. That’s what makes each stop on the tour so special — people bring their history.”
This year’s tour included five cities: Savannah, Georgia; St. Louis, Missouri; Salt Lake City, Utah; Boothbay, Maine; and Charlevoix. The latest stop will be turned into three episodes set to air in early 2026, along with bonus digital segments. For Charlevoix, that means the scenic lakeshore, historic downtown and Castle Farms’ dramatic architecture will get some airtime alongside the appraisals.
Partnering with the production were WCMU Public Television, WGVU Public Media and Detroit PBS. Behind the scenes, dozens of local volunteers joined the show’s full-time crew and 75-plus professional appraisers to make the day run smoothly. According to Matt Collins of WCMU, volunteers were essential in every stage — from check-in to the final on-camera moments.
Guests began their journey in the “triage room,” where items were initially assessed and sorted into categories such as furniture, folk art, photographs, pottery and more. From there, visitors were directed to specific experts who offered more detailed evaluations. If something sparked special interest, a producer might step in — and that guest could find themselves filming a segment for the show.
“We always keep the appraisers’ first reaction authentic, even they don’t hear the stories in advance,” said Collins. “That way, when the camera rolls, it’s all real.”
Many guests expressed satisfaction simply learning the background of a family piece — even if it wasn’t worth thousands.
As Collins put it, “There’s joy in finding out your chair is worth $50 if it means it belonged to your great-grandfather and has a story you never knew.”
— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at 231-675-0099 and adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: ‘Antiques Roadshow’ finds treasure in Northern Michigan during Charlevoix filming
Reporting by Annie Doyle, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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