For those of us who’ve been historians and genealogists for longer than five minutes, it’s pretty apparent that history is never simple. Instead, the past is full of complexities, with layers upon layers of the past just waiting to be explored. Because of this, you just never know where you’ll find pieces of your local or family history, even in obscure places you never expected. That’s exactly what happened to me when I visited Antique Archaeology in May 2024!
Ever since I was 12 years old, I’ve been a fan of History Channel’s TV series, American Pickers. Starting out, the show chronicled Mike Wolfe’s and Frank Fritz’s adventures trekking across America on the hunt for historical treasures to place in their antique shop, Antique Archaeology. The history and travel elements were right up my alley, plus I loved that the show had educational elements, too.
So in 2018, when I found out Wolfe and Fritz were picking my area, of course I wanted to meet them. Through a post on social media that detailed the building they were picking, I was able to see them in person and snap a picture in front of their Antique Archaeology van. In my mind, it was the best day ever.
Fast forward to 2024 and a trip to Iowa for a George Strait concert. I realized that on the way home, I’d be passing right by Mike Wolfe’s antique shop. Of course, I had to stop in, just hoping I might be able to see Wolfe again and snag an updated picture. But it was a long shot, what with Wolfe’s busy schedule and the fact that we’d both have to be there at just the right time.
Plus, it’d been a whopping six years since I’d last seen the American Pickers star. A lot had changed on the show. For starters, Fritz was no longer featured, with Wolfe’s brother taking Fritz’s place on their explorations. Yet, a lot had changed in my life, too. I’d gone from a senior in high school who was passionate about history to a new college graduate who realized that history isn’t just a hobby–it’s a way of life. Still, I was hopeful that Wolfe would be in the shop. If not, I was at least excited to grab a souvenir from the store I’d seen so many times on TV.
As we pulled into the road that led to Antique Archaeology, my dad pointed to the outside of a house, proclaiming, “It’s Mike Wolfe!” I didn’t believe him right off–what were the odds of meeting him again? Well, apparently pretty good! My dad rolled down the window and asked where to park at the store, and Wolfe gave directions and said he’d be over soon. Cue uncontained excitement!
While we waited for Wolfe at the store, I took my time looking around. I figured I wouldn’t find any items with a tie to my home state of Kentucky, but it was worth a shot, right? Within minutes, my dad spotted a 1956 football program for a high school that was just about an hour from my house. Although I’m not necessarily a collector of sports memorabilia, of course I couldn’t pass up this find!
Holding the program as I finished touring the shop, I then spotted a wooden box full of old photographs that I couldn’t resist pouring through. After all, images are one of my favorite primary sources, offering up information about historical outfits and the ways people in past eras lived, worked, or played. As I flipped through image after image, I neared the bottom of the stack. There, in an old black-and-white photograph (which based on the style of clothing I figured dated back to the late 1800s/early 1900s) was a solemn young man dressed in a dapper suit. My eyes flitted to words at the bottom of the image that shared who the photographer was. Then, my mouth dropped open in shock. This picture wasn’t taken in some random city I’d never heard of. Instead, the picture was taken literally an hour from my house in a town that I’d visited numerous times and that my dad used to work in. Just $5 for this historic picture? Yes, please!
I paid for my new treasures then headed back outside. Still no sign of Wolfe. I asked several employees if they knew when he’d be in the shop, but they weren’t sure. So with 7 hours still left until I got back home, I prepared to leave Antique Archaeology without my updated picture with the American Pickers star.
Before my family started off on our travels again, my dad decided to stop by the house we’d seen Mike Wolfe at one last time. I crossed my fingers, hoping–praying–that Wolfe would be outside and willing to snap a quick picture with me. As my dad slowed down and we searched the area, we spotted him outside the house with a few other people.
I didn’t want to disturb him–who wouldn’t want their privacy?–but I really, really wanted an updated picture. Who knew when I’d ever be back in this part of Iowa, if ever again? So I hesitantly unbuckled and walk down the sloping hill. “Excuse me, Mr. Wolfe,” I said. “Would you be willing to get a picture with me?”
I shared how I met him back in 2018 and the picture with him had been my Facebook profile picture for years. He stopped what he was doing, introduced me to his sister (who was standing right by him), and said he’d be happy to get a picture. Over the course of the next 30 (or more!) minutes, I chatted with Wolfe about everything from college and real estate to history and pets. He even took my family and I on a personal, interior tour of the house he’s renovating, right across the street from Antique Archaeology. To top off the day, Wolfe mentioned that I should make YouTube videos about history, calling my reaction to the past “energetic.”
What started as a quick trip to Antique Archaeology ended with me meeting Mike Wolfe (again!) and adding two new historical treasures to my personal archive. As I reflect on the special time, I realize even more that history is all around us–it isn’t confined to museums, parks, or even history books. And because the past is all-encompassing, it means there are ample opportunities to find historical and genealogical information or primary sources in the most unexpected of places. Yep, even 7 hours away from where a relic originated!
So no matter where your next trip or adventure takes you, don’t hesitate to explore area antique shops, museums, parks, or libraries. You just never know what history is out there, waiting to be discovered by Y-O-U.
Keep the History Alive!
