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Reading Between the Seams
July 9th 2018
As we continue processing the extensive collection housed inside The Maryland Historical Society, I’m developing a better understanding of what can be revealed from each individual garment through their unique elements. To glean any form of valuable information, we must put ourselves in the shoes, and clothes, of whoever wore…
A FAN-tastical Find in the Fashion Archives
July 2nd 2018
While we think of all the fantastic examples of historic clothing that the Fashion Archives possess, the Archives also hold exquisite examples of men’s, women’s, and children’s accessories. This includes, among other things, hundreds of fans from the 18th-20th centuries.
Why Do We Have Such Colorful Civil War Dresses?
July 2nd 2018
When we think about wartime fashions, often we think of fabric rations, women in coveralls, uniforms, and drab beige, khaki, or olive clothing. While these textiles and styles were common during World War I and World War II, we often forget that during the Civil War bright patterned wool and…
Donor Paul Edel
June 25th 2018
As a professional costumer, it is a bit of a detour to go into the world of museum collections. Working on theater productions, I certainly have spent many hours researching a period, or recreating antique garments for a show. I’ve even found myself using pieces that are “vintage” in a…
Mr. Dubas Neighborhood part 1
June 22nd 2018
Here's a new series for your enjoyment... "Mr. Dubas' Neighborhood"
La Belle Epoque and Liberty & Co.’s Opulent Fashions
June 18th 2018
Women's fashions during La Belle Epoque, a time between the end of the Franco-Prussian War and the start of World War I (1871-1914), were just one of a series of art forms that flourished during that period, considered a golden age of art and design.
Career Day: The Catonsville Nine
May 17th 2018
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Catonsville Nine. While we don't like to single out one member of the group above any other, it's important to remember that the priesthood is a vocation. Hence, A. Aubrey Bodine's photograph of Fr. Philip Berrigan taken in 1967. This shot was taken…
Age of the Auto: Firetrucks
March 30th 2018
Fires have been a hazard to society since society formed. People learned early on there needed to be a system to put out fires before they destroyed everything around them. This week we focus on a couple iterations of fire trucks, including a truck from the Kent Island Volunteer Fire…
Photo by Richard Childress
March 23rd 2018
In honor of Women's History Month... Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer photographed in Baltimore by Sun photographer Dick Childress.
They Live By Night: Familiar Places (Baltimore)
March 16th 2018
Today we revisit our series of night photography to appreciate some familiar locations, at least for our Baltimore-based viewers. But even if you've never been to these places, you'll find that each of these photos exudes a different type of beauty and atmosphere.
Career Day: Photo by Henderson
February 23rd 2018
In this week's addition to Career Day, we get a glimpse into the office life of Morgan State College, where we see everyday men and women at work. This film negative from the Paul Henderson Collection has suffered some damage due to past storage or development issues, but when dealing…
Career Day: Photos by Henderson
February 16th 2018
You may remember having Career Day in school growing up, a day where adults come into your classroom and talk about their line of work. There are countless types of jobs from manufacturing to paper pushing to directing traffic from a barrel on the side of the road (just wait…
Photo by Paul Henderson
February 9th 2018
HEN.03.03-063 Group portrait. Photograph by Paul Henderson, c.1951. Paul Henderson Photograph Collection, MdHS.As we continue our work in digitizing the approximately 7,000 negatives and prints by the late AFRO American newspaper photographer Paul Henderson, we often find images that stop us dead in our tracks. Here's one with subjects in…
A Dress, A story, and Mary Todd Lincoln
February 8th 2018
In 1957, a dress was given to the Maryland Historical Society with an interesting story attached.