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Structured Beauties: Evolution of the Crinoline
August 2nd 2017
These structures influenced the construction and appearance of a garment and analyzing a dress’s intended silhouette provides a useful dating tool. One silhouette-altering structure was the cage crinoline, whose origins can be traced back to the 15th century.
101 Years Ago
July 28th 2017
One hundred one years ago this month, Hutzler Brothers went all out to welcome the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks for their convention. Not always so benevolent, protective, nor particularly inviting, the Elks were once an all-white, all-male organization that also disallowed membership to anyone "of the Bolsheviki, Anarchists,…
Saving a 1790s Dress
July 26th 2017
Within the Maryland Historical Society’s costume archives, certain garments are accessioned into the “study collection.” Usually artifacts within this collection have serious alteration issues, missing pieces, or need of conservation. As implied by the name, garments within the study collection were open to the public for interpretation and analysis. Recently,…
Conservation Challenges in a 1910s Evening Dress
July 24th 2017
Western fashion changed dramatically during the first half of the 20th century, reflecting the other technological and cultural changes of the era. The materials used to create these dresses can make them challenging to conserve, store, and display. This evening dress from the 1910s illustrates the effects of stylistic trends…
Plastic Beads on a 1910s Summer Dress
July 19th 2017
Whenever we examine garments in the Maryland Historical Society’s costume collection, we pay close attention to their materials, which will impact how we process, store, and display the objects. Dresses made from natural fabrics like linen or wool need to be carefully checked for insect damage. Metal fasteners can stain…
A 1927 Evening Dress
July 17th 2017
Costume has the unique ability to create a connection between today’s person and our ancestors. By analyzing and researching the history behind the textile, one uncovers a new perspective about someone in the past’s life, which is what happened while processing a 1920s evening dress that belonged to Miss Eugenia…
A 1948 Wedding Dress
July 10th 2017
The objects in the Costume Collection of the Maryland Historical Society are a cross-section of Maryland life, reflecting changing trends and technological advances. Many garments entered the collection without information about the people who wore them or made them, so finding objects that do have such documentation is always exciting.
The Hutzler Experience
July 5th 2017
An atmosphere of nostalgia filled the Maryland Historical Society with the museum’s annual meeting's theme of remembrance, which showcased historic clips of Maryland history, one of which included “Behind the Scenes at Hutzler’s.” The costume collection team expanded upon this memorialization of the Hutzler’s department store by setting up…
An Introduction to Dress Mounting
July 5th 2017
Preparing garments for display involves a blend of experience and creativity, as I learned this month during our preparations for Maryland Historical Society’s Annual Meeting on June 28th. Our display at the event featured objects from the now-closed Hutzler Brother's department store, including the dresses and coat…
A Green Silk Pelisse
June 29th 2017
When entering Pratt House, the historic home where much of the Maryland Historical Society’s costume collection still resides, cardboard boxes stacked on shelves from ceiling to floor deprives the room of color. Opening a box to discover what lies within, however, always introduces magnificent patterns, colors, and fabrics, exciting…
Processing an 1880s Velvet Skirt
June 29th 2017
For the past three years, the Maryland Historical Society has been relocating the costume collection from the historic Pratt House to new textile storage rooms. The rehousing project allows us to reexamine and learn more about the collection. Although I have worked with museum collections before, this is my first…
Untitled [John Waters and Divine] by Joseph Kohl.
June 29th 2017
This photograph was taken at the premiere of Hairspray at the Senator Theatre.