I will tell you that I was unable to do a narrative, really, on the video: just an intro, and then a quick view of the clothing. This is because the way I upload the vid to the blog is to email it to myself, download it to my laptop, then upload it to the blog.
I'm sure there is an easier way, but that's how I do it, and I can't do everything expertly, though I do try.
At any rate, the limitations on the size of the file I can email determine the length, and with me nattering on about the clothes, well, it was just TOO LONG! So I shut up (a rare occurrence) and just did the video part.
The Bridal Dress Exhibit is coming down at the end of June. Then, addition summer clothing will go up in place of the bridal dresses. So hurry in to The Oldest House in Laceyville to catch the Bridal Dress Exhibit, and then be sure to come back some time this summer to see the rest of the clothing exhibit.
The vid starts with the high Victorian era at the top of the stairs, and the business man's outfit. There are also showcased here two examples of 'Lingerie Dresses' which were of light cotton or lawn, and embellished with lace, and worn in the summer to keep the ladies cool. These were not wedding dresses, but were worn as such in the 1970's and later, when girls discovered them in their grandmothers' attics!
Next, the Edwardian Room, with a blue linen dress from 1912 with peplum and much lace and bone buttons and a coordinating hat; a two piece black and white striped silk organza w peplum and green satin sash from 1911; and a late Edwardian wedding dress with gloves and hose, from 1916. This last one is almost a 'flapper' style, but not quite.
Next, the room I call 'Izzy's Room,' from A RIVER IN TIME. We have the blue and white 1781 reproduction dress as before, and the man's work outfit from the late 18th century-early 19th century. The gem in this room is a Regency style dress (think Jane Austen, 1790-ish to about 1835) which is authentic, although some repairs have been done to collar and cuffs later in the century, on a sewing machine. This isn't necessarily a wedding dress, but I've displayed it as such, and put the veil over the bonnet over the cap, which is the way veils were worn until about the middle of the 19th century, when they began to be purpose-made as wedding head gear. Up until then, it was just a piece of lace, fastened on a bonnet and the bonnet would have been spruced up with fabric and ribbon as well.
Following this, we come to the major Bridal Dress area. First up is the jewel of the Oldest House period clothing collection, the 1851 silk plaid wedding dress. So this dress would be about 20 years after the Regency dress in Izzy's Room. Next we have, 20 years onward from the mid 1870's, another wedding gown, with veil and little cap: stunning embroidery here: the skirt is more narrow than the hooped Civil War gown (1851) and there would have been a bustle at the back.
Following this is a bridal gown from 1889, in a sumptuous chocolate brown silk, finished with embroidery work. This has been loaned to us by Gail James; it was her great grandmother's dress and Gail was kind enough to include copies of photos of the lady and her husband, as well as the original wedding notice from the newspaper.
Finally in this room we have an Edwardian Era wedding dress from about 1911. It's from the Dymond family and I was lucky enough to find it at auction! More beautiful embroidery all hand done by the bride's mother. I've paired it with an amazing hat from that period, complete with appliqué work and long trailing veil. Another Edwardian two piece wedding ensemble hangs on the wall next to this dress: I ran out of mannequins! (And out of room. This is the largest space upstairs, and it's still small).
Funny story about the Bridal Dresses. I was in the UK in May, and finished up with a couple of days in London. I stay across the street from the V&A so I always check to see what's on there and lo and behold, what did they have on offer? An exhibit on 'Wedding Dresses 1750-2014.' Well, my, my, great minds, LOL.
So of course I went! They had THREE gowns from 1780 and before. I cried, nearly, because wouldn't I just love to have ONE??? Well, anyway, it was a very good exhibit, with the bulk of it late Victorian and early 20th century, some gorgeous stuff. I bought the book, and it's up in the main Bridal Dress room at the Oldest House, open to a page that shows a 1755 dress.
So do try and come for a visit to see the Bridal Dresses, and then to see the rest of the Summer Period Clothing Exhibit, much of which will be new!
The Oldest House is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 1-4, and if we are holding a special event, additional hours as well. Tours include the PCE. There is no cost to tour the House, but donations are gratefully accepted. And needed!
Thanks!
No comments:
Post a Comment