PERIOD CLOTHING EXHIBIT!!!

Whew!
Nancy H. and I worked flat out yesterday afternoon mounting the new expanded Period Clothing Exhibit at The Oldest House. All I have yet to do is print out the informational cards for each room and each outfit, and it'll be ready.

That's one of the 'High Victorian' gowns, from about 1885. Done in a warm brown silk and cream lace, its leg o' mutton sleeves typify the style of that period.

Once we got the hang of dressing and displaying the dress forms (pun intended, LOL) Nancy and I had a system that almost fell into place without saying much. We work well together, and I am SO grateful to have had her help with this. She said she had fun, and I did too, once we got going.

My biggest fear was that the dress forms I'd purchased would be too big for the teeny tiny clothing. But we managed, although in a couple of spots we really had to work at it! Figuring out how to attach trousers to the male torsos was kind of fun, and my favorite part was adding the 'extras:' the beaded bags in the Edwardian room, the poke bonnets and caps in the Regency/Empire/Post Colonial room, the shawls and bonnets in the Civil War room.

That is the Regency/Empire/Post Colonial room, with the male work outfit and the antique steamer trunk full of undergarments: corsets, corset bag, chemise, camisole, knickers, etc. Nancy arranged them in the trunk, and I think she did a great job!

We had a members' meeting yesterday, too, after Nancy & I had finished up the display work and people seemed to like the new Exhibit. I think it totally changes the feel of the upstairs: as I'd hoped, and as I'd observed at Sonnenberg Mansion, hanging the clothing on mannequins or in this case dress forms really makes the rooms come alive. (Mannequins would have been nice, but they run into the $$$ and I preferred to spend my $$$ on clothing rather than fixturing).

I think my favorite outfit is the beige plaid Civil War Wedding Dress, because not only is it beautiful with its row of tiny mother of pearl buttons and fringed cuffs, I found a wedding ring shawl and a silk bonnet to match and the entire ensemble is just lovely! (Sorry, you can't really see the bonnet in the photo as the sun was coming in the window and YES, we are getting a shade for that window!)

Now all that's left is to print out the informational cards on each ensemble and for each room, and put them up, and the PCE will be ready for viewing!

If you are in the area, or if you visit the area of Laceyville, PA do let me know and I'll give you a special tour of The Oldest House. Also, please plan to attend our Christmas Tea on December 6,7, &8, 6-9 p.m. on Friday, and 1-5 at the weekend. This will be the debut of the PCE and the House will be decorated in its holiday finery and of course we'll have cookies and mulled cider as always.