"How do you know it's real?" A talk with document expert Stuart Lutz

Learn about the art and science of authenticating historic documents at Durand-Hedden on Sunday, May 17, from 1:30 pm to 3 pm. The House and Country Store will be open from 1 pm to 4 pm.

MAPLEWOOD, NJ – May 2026 – Join Durand-Hedden as historic document expert Stuart Lutz leads an illustrated talk on antique manuscripts on Sunday, May 17, from 1:30 pm to 3 pm, at Durand-Hedden House in Maplewood. Lutz will discuss what is available, pricing, and the question he gets most of all: “How do you know it is real?”

Lutz has operating his business from South Orange for 35 years and makes frequent appearances on the History Channel’s hit show Pawn Stars. He is one of the few experts in the US who can authenticate documents and autographs. Lutz will demystify the work of a professional document and manuscript collector and seller, and display documents related to the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the Vietnam War, as well as those associated with famous figures. Lutz’s Vietnam collection is the largest in private hands.

Lutz’s oral history book, The Last Leaf: Voices of History’s Last-Known Survivors, will be available for sale and autographing at the conclusion.

While this event is free, we ask visitors to consider contributing when signing up by purchasing a donation ticket. All donations are welcome, appreciated, and support Durand-Hedden's mission, upkeep, and community events. Both complimentary and donation tickets are available at DurandHedden.org. Parking for Durand-Hedden House is available on nearby streets.

The House and the Country Store will be open from 1 pm to 4 pm.

About Durand-Hedden House and Garden

The Durand-Hedden House and Garden Association is Maplewood’s historic house museum, dedicated to creating engaging and informative educational programs and materials about the local history of Maplewood and surrounding communities, natural history, and other related topics. The House, at 523 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood, is open once a month between September and June. For more information, visit our website at durandhedden.org. To arrange group tours, write to info@durandhedden.org. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.