Columbus Academy Antiques Show
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The Antiques Show is an annual event held each May and the primary fundraiser of the Parents' Association of Columbus Academy (PACA). The Antiques Show is produced by the Antiques Show Committee of the Parents' Association of The Columbus Academy (PACA). Proceeds of this event support the PACA Scholarship Fund which benefits students who might not otherwise be able to attend the school. In addition, funds raised provide enhancements to other programs and activities in all three divisions of the school. The Antiques Show has its own web page at
[edit] History
Edie Kennedy (mother of Jim ’81 and John ’83) was President of The Columbus Academy Mothers’ Association in 1981 and quite clearly remembers the beginnings of The Columbus Academy Antiques Show: The Mothers’ Association was looking for a viable school fund-raiser, something with real growth potential. In the past, the mothers had tackled smaller projects, and the group felt the school could support, and needed, something grander – something that could involve the entire community and even reach beyond into the Central Ohio community at large.
After deliberation, it was decided: Efforts for the Academy’s first Antiques Show began in January. The late Ann Millard, mother of William ’76, John ’84, Thomas ’88 and Susan (CSG ’79) agreed to serve as the Show’s first chairman. While their start in January was a late one, the volunteers compensated by exerting a yeoman’s effort. Together they kept expenses to a bare minimum, and by the time of the Show weekend these earnest volunteers had pulled off an amazingly professional operation. Gale winds and frigid temperatures aside, a then-impressive profit of $4,231 was turned (expenses being a mere %568). A whopping 372 individuals had attended the Patron Preview Party on Friday night.
Since those early years, the Academy Antiques Show has grown remarkably yet, in a sense, changed surprisingly little. The Sponsors’ Reception remains the official kick-off to the weekend, and the Show continues to attract the top Antiques Show dealers in the country. The fund-raising weekend still involves the Academy school community from “top to bottom” – that is, preschoolers through Upper School students. The Academy welcomes back retired faculty members, alumni and former parents who return to visit. Against the fitting backdrop of antiques rich in history, for one glorious weekend the Academy school community physically comes together as one.
Even more importantly, what began as a powerful bundle of tenacity and ingenuity on the part of a relatively small group of Academy mothers in 1981 has led to a tradition today that involves the entire school community, and has contributed in excess of $2 million to the school. It is with great pride that the Parents’ Association of The Columbus Academy (PACA) has been a partner in providing funds to deserving students needing financial assistance and supporting enrichment programs to sustain the Academy tradition of academic excellence for all.
During the Academy Antiques Show’s 25th year anniversary, we saluted the founding group of Academy Antiques Show volunteers – and all who have followed since – for this most worthy cause and wonderful of school traditions.
