Our newest exhibit, Katharine Hepburn: Dressed for Stage and Screen, showcases over 40 costumes form Hepburn’s illustrious film and stage career. “What is this?” posts will highlight an object from the exhibit and explore its background every other week. What is this object? What is the story behind it?
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The Connecticut Historical Society has been collecting costume and textile items since the 1840s. With all of those wonderful objects floating around it is hard to solve all of their mysteries. One particular mystery has intrigued me since I started here, and I thought I would share it with all of you….
The Connecticut Historical Society has always been the type of institution to encourage employees to attend conferences, lectures, etc. that help them continue to gain knowledge and skills that will help in their jobs. Last week I had the opportunity to attend one of my favorite conferences in Baltimore, Maryland. It was three full days of nothing but costume history!
I often marvel at the variety of ways the public uses our collections. I thought it would be fun to give a run-down of some of the ways individuals have used, or could use, our vast collections here at CHS.
Dress. About 1910. CHS Collection, 1987.267.0.
Even if you are not a fashion historian, you have likely seen images of the clothing people wore in the past. Whether you saw them online, or in your own family photos, the outer garments of individuals are fairly visible. But what about what lies underneath? What does that look like???
Dress. About 1836-1840. Gift of Annetta Eddy Brigham. 2001.49.9.
I love when individuals leave a record that is undeniably useful…if only everyone did…
Last week I had the kind of day that I simply adore! They come around rarely, but when they do, I enjoy them so immensely. It was last Thursday and Lynne Bassett came to research in our collection for a very special presentation / program she is involved with here at CHS. And that meant we spent an entire day pulling out quilts, costumes, fabric fragments, incomplete quilt blocks, textile sample books, and everything else we could think of that might help in her program…
Wholecloth Quilt. 1750-1775. Gift of Mrs. Sophia Burdick. 1963.11.17.
I get asked this question quite frequently. The truth is that it changes depending on what I am working on at the moment because I don’t have a true favorite period. I love various aspects from almost every period of costume history, especially between the 1770s and the 1960s. However, there is a period that has always been, and will always be, particularly close to my heart…
Fashion Illustration. 1831. Scrapbook entitled “Fashion of a Century 1776-1876.” The Connecticut Historical Society, 1998.99.0.
On textiles that is. Yesterday CHS hosted a teacher development workshop for art teachers. For my part, I brought out some examples of printed textiles from the 18th and 19th centuries and we discussed the processes involved in printing textiles with brilliant colors and patterns. Well, since I already spent time brushing up on the processes of old, I thought I would share that knowledge with all of you as well…
Pocket. 1800-1810. Gift of Mrs. John A. Davison. 1999.41.1.
This time of year I always find myself hoping for an opportunity to attend a swanky party that requires a bit of sparkle and holiday elegance. Yet the season consistently brings casual family gatherings requiring little more than jeans and sweaters, or New Year’s plans including games and staying in with my sisters and our respective significant others. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love these holiday gatherings that have become a tradition in my life, but…if that invitation ever comes…I think I’d like to sew up my own version of one of these….
Woman’s Dress. 1950s. Gift of Nora Oakes Howard. The Connecticut Historical Society. 2012.532.14.
inside the CHS 