We have a wonderful new exhibit this
fall, which focuses on Women's Clothing from 1860 to
1930. The Pioneer Museum has an exceptionally good
textiles collection. We always have a certain amount of
antique clothing on display--men's and children's as
well as women's.
This
exhibit is our most ambitious and scholarly effort to
date to showcase the changing styles and trends in
women's clothing during the early years of settlement in
Golden. Come learn more about when hoops gave way to
bustles and the painful practices associated with
wearing tight corsets.
One of the artifacts on display is a
wedding dress that was worn by at least two generations
of the same family. The dress was made for a bride in
1867 (or possibly earlier). We have a photo of the
original bride's granddaughter wearing the same dress in
1927--only backwards! The styles in 1927 were more
daring, and since the neckline was a good deal lower in
back, the later bride opted to turn the dress around.
When you visit the museum, be sure to
take the opportunity to meet the museum's director,
Elinor Packard. Elinor is an expert in matters of
antique clothing, and has sewn many historically
authentic costumes over the years. You'll be amazed at
what she can reveal about which details characterize
various eras of women's clothing.
