If you know me, you know that I love antiquing. It’s one of my favorite ways to spend weekends with my husband—like stepping into a history museum where everything is for sale. I’ve always dreamed of owning an old house and filling it with antique furniture and décor. There’s something magical about holding an item that existed long before me, carrying its own untold stories.

I have several favorite antique stores across Maryland that I visit often, and this week, I decided to make a trip to one with a specific mission: to find bookish treasures to highlight for my blog!

A Trip to the Emmitsburg Antique Mall

This time, we visited the Emmitsburg Antique Mall in our college town of Emmitsburg, MD. It’s one of the larger antique stores we frequent, and no matter how much I tell myself I’m just going to browse, I always end up bringing something home—at the very least, a treat from the candy stand. (Case in point: the buckeyes I bought, which Jakob polished off before I could even get a picture!)

American Girl Nostalgia

One of the first things I knew I’d find was a collection of American Girl books and merchandise, including a Kirsten bookend and several boxed sets featuring different classic American Girls. My niece recently got into these books, so I had to pick out a set for her. I chose Felicity, because she was my doll growing up, and therefore the best one. If you disagree, you can fight me. The store also had lots of figurines, Christmas ornaments, and even some of Kit’s classic accessories!

Mystery Classics and More

Next, I came across a whole shelf of vintage Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books—perfect for young readers who will grow up to love a good thriller. I also spotted another American Girl Julie boxed set. Funny enough, I just bought the same set online for my niece for Christmas—only to discover it’s way cheaper here. Lesson learned: all future American Girl books will be sourced from antique stores!

A Reader’s Treasure Trove

In the back right corner of the store, I found shelves upon shelves of old books—truly a dream for any reader. There’s always a sign near this section advertising great sales, making it a perfect spot to hunt for hardcover classics at a bargain.

Childhood Favorites

I remember reading books like these at my grandma’s house when I was little. Who doesn’t love Little Golden Books? They always felt so fancy in my small hands, with their shiny spines and classic illustrations. These Winnie the Pooh books have the old-fashioned illustrations!

A Classic Find: Civil War Books

No antique store is complete without a fancy old cabinet filled with history books—and nine times out of ten, there’s a Civil War collection. Given Emmitsburg’s proximity to Gettysburg, it’s no surprise that this case includes several books about that battle in particular..

Jakob’s Exciting Find: A Pasta Cookbook

Jakob immediately gravitated toward a cookbook all about pasta—and when he spotted a specific lasagna recipe, he begged me to take a picture for future reference (and to share with you all). If there’s one thing he gets really excited about, it’s food. Especially lasagna.

Here’s a closer look of this recipe:

A Museum in the Middle of the Store

This booth feels like a full-blown museum exhibit—between the knight in armor, Egyptian sarcophagus, and… whatever animal that is in the back, I half-expected Robin Williams to ride up on a horse as Teddy Roosevelt at any moment.

Future Reading Nook Goals

These chairs reminded me of Carl and Ellie’s chairs from Up, and I thought that was so cute. Someday, I want to have mismatched reading chairs where Jakob and I can sit side by side when we’re old, each lost in a good book. His might be the pasta cookbook from earlier, but it still counts.

Treasures for Pop Culture Fans

For those who love Star Wars, Marvel, and other classic franchises, there’s no shortage of memorabilia and reading material. I might have to go back for this puzzle!

The Guardian of the Comics

This little guy always stands guard over the comic books. He may be baring his teeth, but my dog Rolo does the same thing when he smiles—so I’m going to assume this guy is also a good boy at heart, just like my Rolo.

The Magic of Antiquing

One of my favorite things about antique stores is the unexpected treasures you find just by wandering for an hour—whether it’s a book from childhood, a piece of forgotten history, or a quirky item that sparks nostalgia.What’s the best thing you’ve ever found while antiquing? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories!