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Governor's Architectural Antiques

Architectural Salvage, Custom Furniture, and More

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News

We’re Playing Bingo to Celebrate our 50th!

September 8, 2020 By govsarch Leave a Comment

Well, BUZZARD BINGO, that is!

As you may know, we were planning to have a big blow out party for our 50th anniversary this year, and well… you know what happened. Being in business for 50 years is a pretty big deal, and we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you, our great customers, so we’re switching things up a bit. No party, but we can have a little fun, spread the word, and you can win some amazing prizes to thank you for supporting us all these years, and helping us do what we love.

So, today (September 8) we are launching Buzzard Bingo!

Details and rules below!

Here’s the deal:

  • Pick up a Buzzard Bingo Card from us at the store, or download one below!
  • Complete EVERY block on the card (9 total)
  • Turn in on or before October 31 at the store or email it to us here at [email protected]
Governors-Buzzard-BingoDownload

What do you win?

Grand Prize Dining Table
Handcrafted using live edge red cedar and antique cast iron machine legs.
$3500 Value
  • EVERYONE (Yes, everyone!) who completes the bingo card and turns it in by the end date (10/31) will receive a small, handmade serving board (reclaimed slate and heart pine). Limit one per person, pick up only (sorry, no shipping). ($20 value)
  • When we get 50 entries: We will draw from the entries one grand prize winner for a handmade factory cart coffee table. ($450 value)
  • When we get 100 entries: One grand prize winner will be drawn to win a handmade Governor’s Original bar/console table, crafted from antique iron and reclaimed wood. ($1500 value)
  • Once we get to 200 entries: One grand prize winner will be drawn to win a handmade, Governor’s Original dining table, with a live edge red cedar top and antique cast iron machine legs. ($3500 value)
  • IF we get to 300 entries, we will give away all three! At this level, we’ll have a grand prize winner, first and second runners up. (So tell your friends, and get everyone playing!)

The “Fine Print”

  • Contest runs from September 8- October 31. All entries must be received by close of business 10/31.
  • You must come in to the store for some of the “tasks.”
  • Entries limited to one per person.
  • You must include all contact information, including social media handles, so tags, etc, can be verified.
  • Each completed entry (one per person) will receive a free small slate and reclaimed wood serving board.
  • We will deliver the grand prizes free within 20 miles, or further for a fee. No prizes will be shipped.
  • Contest is not open to employees.

Questions? Just ask us!

Good luck, and spread the word! The more entries, the bigger the prizes!

Grand Prize Coffee Table
Crafted from an antique factory cart with a reclaimed wood top
Grand Prize Bar
Handcrafted from wrought iron and reclaimed wood
$1500 value

Filed Under: Architectural Salvage, News, Uncategorized Tagged With: 50th Anniversary, Buzzard Bingo, Contest

The Origin of the Buzzard

June 21, 2020 By govsarch 2 Comments

Ever since I was a kid, this is what I heard about my father’s nickname, “The Buzzard.” Growing up in Mechanicsville, VA in the 40’s and 50’s…instead of “Hey buddy,” “Hey man,” or “Hey dude,” people would say, “Hey Buzzard.” Over time that habit went away, replaced with any number of different greetings. Well, it went away for everyone other than our founder, my father, Gary Thomas.

For as long as I can remember, he fondly referred to any male as “Buzzard.” He’d say, “Hey Buzzard,” to just about any male that walked into his office, that he met at the store, or that he passed on the street. It was just his version of hello. Over time, people started calling him “Buzzard,” and that became his nickname for most everyone that knew him well. He often received oddball buzzard related gifts that friends picked up when traveling. You can see several of them on display in the store cabinet by our front door where his portrait hangs today.

After his passing an old friend of my father’s came into the store to share a story with me about him. He asked if I knew how my father got his nickname, “The Buzzard.” I told him the above story. He chuckled and said, that’s good…but that’s not exactly how it happened.

He told me that when he and my father were in the Air National Guard together in the 60’s, my father was a mechanic, which I knew. He said they were training near Savannah and everyone had gone to the beach except my father. He wasn’t interested that day and stayed behind. After a couple of hours he showed up. The guys were horsing around on the beach, drinking beer and blowing off steam. One of the guys was being buried in the sand by his buddies and having a hard time getting out.

My father was a big man, as most know. In his 20’s, he was a beast of a man…big and strong to say the least. He told the group there was no way they could bury him that he couldn’t get himself out of the sand. The man telling me the story said he’d take that bet, and they shook on it. Then he dug a hole straight down so that my father had to stand in the hold. They buried him up to his neck. The whole time Dad was teasing them and bragging about it not working on him.

If you know anything about the beach and wet sand, you know that once buried, it causes a vacuum that you can barely pull a foot out of, much less your whole body. Once buried, he was laughing and still taunting them. Eventually, he realized he couldn’t get out. But, because he had talked so much trash and given the other guys so much grief, they told him, “We should just leave you here for the buzzards to eat.” And they, they say, was how he got that nickname.

I don’t know which is actually true. But, I can totally see the second one happening to my father. He was a brilliant man…a genius, even. But, he was not one to admit defeat or give up on anything.

After his passing, I changed the company name to Governor’s Architectural Antiques, and added “Home of the Buzzard since 1970.” While we’ve changed quite a bit over the last few years, and transitioned from a more traditional antiques business to one focusing on architectural salvage, his legacy lives on.

When you visit, you can now see a larger than life sized buzzard, crafted from pieces and parts of salvage, greeting you as you enter the complex he spent his life building.

Say hello, take a picture, and give it a wink. Now you know the story of “The Buzzard.”

Filed Under: News, Uncategorized Tagged With: Governor's Antiques, History, History of the Buzzard, Home of the Buzzard, The Buzzard

Governor’s at 50!

March 5, 2020 By govsarch Leave a Comment

Well, we’re FIFTY! And at fifty, who doesn’t need to make some changes?

All of our fine antiques, collectibles, lamps, vintage toys, china, and glassware have left the building, and we are in full reorganizing, reshuffling, and new focus mode. After fifty years, those are some big changes!

With millions (yes, millions) of items, it will take us a minute to get things sorted and settled, but we’re working hard to make it all more shoppable for you. You’ll see more antique advertising, militaria, vintage hardware, reclaimed lumber, chandeliers, doors, windows, wrought iron, trim and woodwork, industrial salvage, and more great handmade, repurposed creations coming from our wood and welding shops.

So come see us. Please pardon the mess, though. We’re getting there, and finding some absolutely fantastic pieces along the way.

Filed Under: Architectural Salvage, Militaria, New items, News, Vintage Advertising, Wrought Iron

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