On the cover of our Spring 2026 issue is the home of Hannah Speaks of Surgoinsville, Tennessee. 5 Home Tours: Hannah Speaks of Surgoinsville, Tennessee. “The Grit is in the Details: Where dirt, patriotic roots, and early American values meet.” Nestled on a parcel of land that has belonged to her family for generations, the log home of Hannah Speaks is filled with the primitive antiques collected since she was 26 years old. These pieces echo the grit and strength of the people who shaped her and the early American values she now strives to pass on to her children. Cory and Stephenee David of Mickleton, New Jersey: “Bridging Past and Present” - What began as visits to antique shops during the 2020 pandemic quickly became a focused search for 1700–1800s country antiques. That pursuit led Cory and Stephenee David to a nearly 300-year-old New Jersey home and the establishment of their shop, Primitive Gatherings. Melvin and Delores (Dee) Collier of Yuma, Virginia: “Finding Peace in the Past: Shaped by the Dealers Whose Influence Lives On in Her Collections” Shaped by the antique dealers whose influence lives on in her collections, Melvin and Dee Collier have filled their Virginia home with early paint, stoneware, treen, advertising pieces, and apothecaries—a journey that led to a full-circle moment only a life of antique collecting can create. Jean Salisbury-Elden & Ray Baker: “She’s Got the Look” An Upstate New York homeowner achieved the perfect primitive look in her 1989 home through thoughtful design choices and collections. Flea market finds, early treenware, original paint surfaces, and well-worn furniture rich with patina are layered throughout the home and gardens. Barbara Taylor of San Tan Valley, Arizona: “The Educated Eye: A Collector’s Lifelong Study” Barbara Taylor developed her discerning eye through years of studying collectibles, learning from East Coast dealers, and preserving painted primitives. Her journey highlights that true collectors are lifelong learners, preserving both historical objects and the wisdom they embody. New to this issue, we introduce Collector’s Corner, a dedicated section within each home feature. In this section, we focus on one corner of the home, examining each object within it—where it came from, how it was used, and the story behind acquiring it. It offers a closer look at the layers that make a collection meaningful. Standout features include: White Man’s Flies and the History of the Bee Box: An exploration of early American beekeeping that traces how honeybees signaled colonial expansion, how bee hunters followed a “beeline” to feral hives, and why surviving bee boxes, with fragile hand-blown glass panes, are rare witnesses to early rural life. A Picker’s Heart: Hayley Walsh’s Journey into Early American Antiques This feature spotlights 33-year-old Hayley Walsh and emphasizes her collector’s discipline: studying construction details (like square-forged nails), oxidation and wear, and layered original paint—using knowledge and trusted sources to avoid paying antique prices for reproductions. How to Build a Primitive Twig Garden Fence – A how to guide inspired by early rural fencing methods using natural materials. Antiques Sold at Auction: What Did It Sell For? – Featuring notable examples such as a Rose of Sharon appliqué quilt, a distinctive dry sink with an “x” base, a moss green checkerboard, and a produce sorting table.
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