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Tucked into a 1776 colonial home at 258 Main Street, Red Sleigh Antiques has long been a local treasure for enthusiasts of early American life. For more than three decades, owner Judy Gilliatt-Gohs has filled her shop with New England primitives and period pieces — from 18th-century pewter plates and foot warmers to redware pottery and thumb bibles — creating an atmosphere many visitors describe as stepping into a “time machine.”
Unlike modern gift boutiques, the antiques at Red Sleigh are chosen for their authenticity and history rather than trendiness. Gilliatt-Gohs has spent years traveling the region and building relationships with fellow collectors, turning her shop into both a showroom and a living record of early domestic life in New England.
Yet like many traditional brick-and-mortar antique dealers, Red Sleigh struggled to attract new customers as longtime patrons aged and foot traffic shifted. That changed recently when Gilliatt-Gohs’s granddaughter, Taylor, posted a short video on TikTok showcasing the shop’s unique interior and remarkable items. What started as a quick Sunday morning post quickly racked up thousands of views and comments from curious viewers -- and follow-up coverage in the Boston Globe..
The viral attention has translated into renewed interest from younger visitors, many planning road trips to Medway to browse in person — a striking contrast to the shop’s traditionally older clientele. “It was just niche enough to hit the right audience,” Taylor said of the video’s appeal.
For an antiques shop rooted in the past, this modern twist has brought a fresh wave of life to a storied Medway institution.
