After 67 Years, Storied Houston Antiques Show’s Grand Finale is Here

After 67 years, the final Theta Charity Antiques Show is this Friday, November 22 through Sunday, November 24. In 1952, the Houston Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta set up shop at the Shamrock Hotel in Houston to host the first Theta Charity Antiques Show.

Inspired by New York socialites’ antique shows, the ladies sought to up their fundraising game — peddling crocheted coat hangers and magazine subscriptions just wasn’t cutting it. Little did they know the show would run for seven decades, morphing into one of the biggest and most important antique shows in Houston.

Co-chairs Courtney Hill Fertitta, Jennifer Donovan O’Donnell and Giggy Martin Thanheiser have created a finale to pay homage to the thousands of people who have made the show a longstanding tradition, from the participating dealers and the hundreds of volunteers to the generations of Houstonians who have attendeded.

More than $8 million has been raised for local organizations and charities since its inception. This year, the general admission price of $25 includes all speaker talks, programming, and entrance to three days of the show. A preview-night party will be held Thursday, November 21 with tickets running $250.

In addition to more than 30 world-class exhibitors showcasing estate jewelry, antique silver, hand-woven rugs, and period furniture, programming includes talks and book signings by design greats Alexa Hampton, Thomas Jayne, Charlotte Moss and Thomas O’Brien. This event, moderated by Margot Shaw, takes place on Friday, November 22 at 11 am, sponsored by Flower magazine.

On Saturday, Brooke and Steve Giannetti will speak and sign books at 11 am, introduced by yours truly, and sponsored by PaperCity.

Local designers Cindy Witmer, Jennifer Barron, and Ashton Taylor have designed vignettes, and a young collectors’ booth features items at a lower price point.

Proceeds from the show benefit 11 local charities: Amazing Place, Bo’s Place, Camp For All, Holly Hall, Nick Finnegan Counseling Center, The Rise School, The Rose, Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens/MFAH, CHild Advocates, Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation, and Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers.

Preview party $250 Thursday, November 21, 7 pm; general admission $25 (including speaker events and readmission throughout the show) Friday — Saturday, November 22 – 23, 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday, November 24, noon to 6 pm, thetacharityantiquesshow.org.