Hello! We are Steve and Sharon Runion Rowland, the proud owners/operators of Bowditch Antiques and Collectibles in Bakersville. After living and working in Raleigh as a sales engineer (Steve) and as a development officer for 4-H and Cooperative Extension (Sharon), we decided to come back to Sharon’s hometown to take care of her parents and to retire early.
Retirement did not last long, and Steve trained at the American Picture Framing Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida to obtain his nationally recognized certification at the “picture framing boot camp.” He and Sharon returned to the Advanced Academy in May 2021 to gain additional skills. “We try to exceed every client’s expectation whether it is a new shadowbox design, multi-opening mat design, application of fillets stretching canvas and utilizing liners, or just selecting the right mat and frame to enhance their artwork,” shares Steve.
We chose to add antiques and collectibles our shop after having collected items from the arts and crafts movement and from mountain life for many years. More recently, we have added vintage and shabby chic furniture, farmhouse rustic, novelties, gifts, and even a Christmas Shop. Sharon says “it’s great fun to come to the shop each day and help visitors learn about the companies from yesteryear that designed unique pieces. I’ve learned so much since we opened and love each of the treasurers we find.” Collectors who return to the shop will often find a piece that the Rowlands picked up especially for them. They are also committed to finding items they might not have in stock at the time. Sharon laughs and says, “If we don’t have an item, we’ll search for it and give you a call when we do find it.”
We love our little town of Bakersville, so we work together to support the town and its many opportunities for outdoor recreation, beautiful hiking trails and the Rhododendron on Roan Mountain. The many talented artists who have chosen to make it home are great friends and the community is so welcoming. We worship at the Church of Christ in Spruce Pine and help young people build their skills in the 4-H Youth Development Program on both the county and state levels.
We love visitors so come see us at the shop or at this virtual shop.
Origin of Bowditch name in “Bowditch Antiques and Collectibles”
Many ask the origin of the name “Bowditch” and how it became the name of the shop. Our forefather, Nathaniel Bowdtich, is perhaps the most famous Bowditch. He wrote “The New Practical Navigator” that was published in 1802 in England and America. He recorded over 8,000 errors from the original Moore navigational table and the book became every seaman’s guide to the stars. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Harvard. Bowditch’s work is still utilized today.
The Bowditches of Salem and Boston had relocated to Tarboro and then to Yancey County, NC where the Bowditch Community was established in the mid 1800s.. Joseph Bowditch moved to Toecane, NC in Mitchell County where he was a landowner and husband of Martha Anderson Bowditch. As Chair of the Mitchell County Commissioners, he was responsible for overseeing the completion of the Historic Courthouse and furnishing it in 1907. His son, Ed Bowditch was the first Extension Agent in Clay, Madison, and Mitchell Counties. In this job, he introduced pomology or apple growing to the area, started the County Fair in the 1940s, and grew “the best apples in the area.” This entrepreneurial and innovative lifestyle led Steve to suggest that the shop name become Bowditch Antiques and Collectibles to celebrate Sharon’s grandfather’s legacy and leadership.
Within the shop, you’ll find vintage apple boxes and other farming pieces from as early as the 1920s. Bowditch’s work “The New Practical Navigator” is also available. We also have “Carry On, Mr. Bowditch” by Jean Latham, a great book for those 12 years and up.