Ellen D Ruck opened Colony Farm Antiques in 1987 and operated the business as a Trade Show Dealer, only, while continuing a full time career in a law firm as Catering Coordinator and conference room services. She retired from corporate commuting and the big city office tower environment in late 2006 to focus on developing the historical country lifestyle more suited to her intense interests.

Colony Farm Antiques displays at select shows specializing in 18th and 19th Century period furniture, and related accessories, primarily in the timeline of 1750 to 1850, and representing hand made vernacular objects once common in Colonial and Eary American homes. Objects are hand selected from choice New England, Mid Atlantic, Hudson Valley, and Mid Southern estates fresh to the market in original patina. Owing to our nations' pre-Revolutionary War British history, buyers can also purchase fine English metal, treen, and ceramic wares to complement the total look.

Lady Ellen's Fine Ware was created in early 2007 to serve as the Living History division of the parent antiques business. Trained in Alexandria, VA in Colonial classes and English Country Dancing, Ellen was able to combine her natural talents and launch a Colonial Sutlery that follows the military encampments on the East Coast in season. Extensive experience in antique objects and colonial lifestyle, coupled with costumed appearances permits Ellen to be at ease lecturing on living history topics for local groups and museums, and has enabled her to provide both furnishings and costumes for a number of museum exhibits. Recent participation has included providing period furnishing, costumes, and a gift shop, as well as giving public lectures at the 1794 John Prall Jr house in Stockton NJ; furnishing, costumes, decorations, and a period market for the 1770's Jacobus Vanderveer house in Bedmister, NJ, and Colonial costume and lifestyle lectures for the Questor groups.

Fine details, tempting one-of-a kind merchandise, and superb customer service are the hallmarks of both businesses. To aid in this endeavor Lady Ellen's Fine Ware is backed by a team of ladies who supply carefully researched historical garments for men and women, which are sewn exclusively for Lady Ellen's. Many of the items are cut using original patterns based on historic examples and are hand finished to give the correct period appearance.

This delightfully pleasing blend of multiple talents, knowledge, and experience, is sure to create an inventory that will satisfy the most discriminating collectors and reenactors.

Please contact Ellen if she may be of further serivce to you as your Humble and Most Obedient Servant for Living History.

LADY ELLEN'S FINE WARE