Abby Aldrich Rockefeller started her Folk Art collection in New York in 1931, in her home located just a few blocks from the Park Avenue Armory, where the Winter Antiques Show takes place today. Later, Mrs. Rockefeller generously donated 420 of her favorite items to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. In the ensuing years, the collection has grown to more than 7000 objects, with some of the finest examples of folk art in America on view today at the Abby Alrdrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum in Colonial Williamsburg.

The “Revolution and Evolution” exhibit at the 2017 Winter Antiques Show last week featured 51 objects from this famous collection. They include the famous Baby in the Red Chair, Leedom Farm by Edward Hicks and other prized items including The Old Plantation–a depiction of slave celebration and dance which was attributed to John Rose only recently after years of research.

Colonial Williamsburg is the only institution to be invited twice to the Winter Antique Show in New York, appearing both in 2001 and 2017. We spoke with Curator Laura Barry about the exhibit, and her excitement was contagious. If you missed the Winter Antiques Show, our photos below offer a rare glimpse of this extraordinary collection.

In 2026 we will celebrate 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, and we believe this event will trigger a renaissance of American traditional style. This post is part of our continuing dedication to report on the progress and achievements of the Williamsburg brand and its affiliate partner brands, and of the great Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.