Broadly speaking, Americana is the material products that come from a uniquely American experience. A Kentucky bureau, an Amish quilt, a Coca-Cola sign, a Schwinn bicycle and a Harley Davidson can all be seen and celebrated as Americana. To celebrate Americana is to celebrate American material culture. It’s as broad and deep as the country and open to both the narrow and expansive interpretations.

When we think of Americana, we often think of the folk art, colonial furniture and other items that relate to the people here in the early days- our ancestors. That’s one definition, and you’ll find lots of that in the

museums and shows at Americana Week. Americana goes beyond that. Andy Warhol brought forth a certain way of looking at Americana, and his iconic images are Americana as much as the soup cans he depicted are.

Then there’s the Americana of the West, and of Native Americans. As different people and cultures are woven into the American fabric, what is seen as Americana broadens and brings new stories to light.

Recently on ebay I spotted a Chock full o’Nuts coffee can with an image of the World Trade Center on it. That’s Americana. Watch an episode of American Pickers, from Coke signs to Schwinn bicycles, that’s Americana. In fact, lots of people are out there at flea markets and fairs finding Americana without ever thinking much about what it is. But looking for Americana is a process of looking for America, and one of discovering ourselves, our history and the stories about the people the items bring to life.

And so I asked a few folks for their definitions. I hope you’ll add yours in the comments section. We’ll continue to add more.

“Ordinary items that reflect the way American’s lived in the past.”

Mary Kates Ballard

“From my perspective, Americana reflects who we are. After 1830 we shook the allegiance to European roots and began to form our own ideas. Since our backgrounds are German, English, Irish, Scotch and even French, we couldn’t help but reflect those cultures. However we began to make furniture from native woods, pine, poplar, cherry and walnut instead of importing mahogany from Europe. Basic needs were met when we made blanket chests, food safes and cupboards. Many were painted and decorated to reflect the ancestry of the makers.

Booth of flag dealer Jeff Bridgman at Antiques and Art at the Armory in 2010

Women contributed by gathering together to make quilts, coverlets and carpets. These were made in the colors and designs that reflected their individual backgrounds, much the same as flags. We didn’t have fine institutions for education in the arts but we had artists who painted signs and decorated wagons and many also drew and painted portraits or landscapes for their customers as gifts or extra money.

We are a proud people and like decorative objects and so we began to create chalk ware (actually a form of paper mache) figures to resemble the fine English Staffordshire and to decorate our every day stoneware with wonderful pictures of flowers and animals. School girls practiced the art of sewing and embroidery.

Americana is really the feeling that all of these objects gives us; one of warmth, friendliness and texture. Some of us are lucky enough to have inherited the originals; others have become collectors through antiques sales and flea markets. But there are many reproductions available that will create a great Americana facsimile. Mostly Americana makes you feel good and makes you proud. Obviously as the years pass, the images will change and take on a new persona.”

Bettianne Sweeney