April may bring showers, but it will also bring the three episodes of the PBS series “Antiques Roadshow” that came from their filming at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore last summer. Maryland Public Television (MPT) will run the episodes’ premieres on April 14, 21, and 28 at 8 p.m. on MPT-HD and PBS stations nationwide.The 22-time Emmy-nominated show began its 29th season in January. Described as part adventure, part history lesson, and part treasure hunt, each hour-long episode features specialists from the nation’s leading auction houses and independent dealers offering free appraisals of antiques, fine and decorative arts, and collectibles. With approximately five million loyal weekly viewers, it is the most-watched ongoing primetime PBS series.The three episodes shot at the Maryland Zoo feature some incredibly rare treasures.On Monday, April 14 (8 p.m.), the first hour of “Antiques Roadshow: Maryland Zoo” will feature appraisals of finds like 1865 Lewis M. Rutherford lunar photographs, a Patek Philippe & Tiffany platinum pocket watch, ca. 1910, and Lynne Drexler oil paintings. One is worth up to $570,000.Appraisal being filmed for Antiques Roadshow. Photo credit: Aliza WorthingtonOn Monday, April 21 (8 p.m.), the second hour of “Antiques Roadshow: Maryland Zoo” will include 1973 Topps uncut card sheets, a ring collection, ca. 1970, and a 1967 Ram Kumar oil painting. Viewers discover which treasure is worth upwards of $180,000.On Monday, Aprill 28, (8 p.m.), the third hour of “Antiques Roadshow: Maryland Zoo” involves searches for hidden treasures in Maryland, including George Patton’s gold WWI trench watch, a 1949 Charles Loloma pot, and a 1944 Joseph Erlanger’s Nobel Prize & diploma. One is valued at $150,000 to $200,000.There will be a sneak preview screening of the first episode on Wednesday, April 9 at 7 p.m. at the Visitors Center in Owings Mills. The event, hosted by MPT, is open to the public and free to attend, but registration is required. For more information and to complete registration, click this link.Content for the three Maryland Zoo episodes was filmed in a single day, June 18, 2024. Four thousand tickets were given out for the event through a sweepstakes that drew more than 14,000 applications. This reporter attended the event to get an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the massive undertaking involved in coordinating such a large appraisal and filming scene in a space as complex as a zoo. The article, which you can read here, shares experiences from the points of views of attendees, appraisers, and producers.“The magic of Roadshow is with thousands of fans attending our events each Tour, we don’t know what they will bring or what we’ll discover,” said Marsha Bemko, executive producer. “And after 29 years, our new season doesn’t disappoint — many of the stories and treasures left even us speechless!”Triage Tent at Antiques Roadshow event at The Maryland Zoo. Photo credit: Aliza WorthingtonAll told, the event succeeded with the help of approximately 40 MPT volunteers, 80 local volunteers, 65 appraisers who volunteered their time (with around 140 appraisals filmed), including local appraisers Paul Winicki, founder of Radcliffe Jewelers, and Craig Flinner, founder of the Craig Flinner Gallery in Hampden. Both appraisers have been with “Antiques Roadshow” for nearly 20 years each.Baltimore is one of five cities being featured during this “Antiques Roadshow” season. The show’s 2024 tour also took it to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Ark.; Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, Nev.; Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa; Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms in Littleton, Colo.The Maryland Zoo filming was “Antiques Roadshow”’s third visit to Baltimore. Previous local productions took place in 2007 (Season 12) and 1999 (Season 4).Episodes are also available to watch live and on demand using MPT’s online video player and the free PBS app. ...read more read less