Thrifting Pfaltzgraff Yorktowne

In 1992 I was a young bride-to-be planning a wedding. My future mother-in-law and sister-in-law both recommended that I register at the Pfaltzgraff store in Lake George, New York. Going there and choosing a pattern that was going to be "ours" made me feel like such an adult. I chose Yorktowne, one of the oldest Pfaltzgraff patterns.

Original crocks and jugs from The Pfaltzgraff Co. inspired the Yorktowne dinnerware collection, a classic stoneware pattern introduced in 1967. A deep blue, hand-applied floral motif adds dimension to the smooth glaze that is reminiscent of early salt-glaze techniques.

Some of the things I had chosen came into our home as wedding gifts. Some came from family members who had also owned some. Many of my most favorite items came from online auctions. I really enjoyed the hunt for unusual pieces.

But life is full of twists and turns. In 2004 my husband passed away. I was a young mom of four with no experience in dealing with grief. At some point I decided I needed a fresh start and gave all the Pfaltzgraff I had collected away.

Fast forward to this year, and a friend cleaning out an elderly relative's home. She passed some things to me to give to Daniel, who is moving away from home. In the boxes were some Pfaltzgraff plates. The flood of memories was instantaneous. I asked the kids if they remembered the pattern.

I talked it over with Ralph, and he was very understanding about me wanting to bring back something from our past as a family. I was able to purchase one bunch of items on the Facebook Marketplace that replaced many of our basics. Then I was able to start hunting for the more "fun" pieces.

Last week I was really lucky and I found two separate lots on the marketplace at really good prices. I even convinced Ralph to drive to Castleton, Vermont with me after work one night to pick up one of the lots.

This lot came with the canisters I really wanted, including the bonus of the Cookies jar. The coffee canister has two chips, but the price was unbeatable for the lot and I can replace that one item down the road.

This lot came with the soup tureen (with a ladle! That's so rare!) and my absolute favorite piece, the cheese tray with the glass lid. The blue glasses are beautiful and I am going to have to track down more of those.

So much Pfaltzgraff Yorktowne goodness! Now that it is all washed up, put away or properly displayed, I'm so glad we made the family decision to reclaim this piece of our history. Dishware is just something you use for eating, unless it becomes a part of your family history. This makes my heart happy.