EXHIBITS

OPEN SPACE THEN AND NOW

An exhibit of aerial views of Darien

taken in 1926 and 2004

Costume Collection Display Case
The Display Case is used to exhibit selections from the Darien Historical Society's collection of over 1,500 antique costumes and accessories of men, women and children including shoes, hats, fans and paisley shawls dating from the mid 18th Century to 1935, many of which have been gifts from local donors over the past 30 years.

Portrait Reminiscent of a Whistler:
Last Quarter of the 19th C.

The intricate and complex styling of fashion in the last quarter of the 19th C, fascinated James McNeill Whistler as he prepared his subjects for their portraits. He was keenly aware of the image his sitters would convey and was careful to plan - even design - costumes to achieve his goals.*

Whistler might have admired this gown. It emphasizes a vertical look achieved by a cuirasse bodice, tightly fitted over the hips, and a skirt asymmetrically draped and controlled, sometimes tied back by tapes inside.

Two Piece Dress - Pink-printed organdy, cuirasse bodice;
Skirt - Draped á la polonaise.
Underskirt: pink pleating, edged with white lace.
Pink ribbon trim.

Gift of Mrs. Murray Franklin.



From the Costume Collection:



Hat - Natural straw, flower trim, satin streamers.
Umbrella -Blond lace, carved wood handle.

* "Whistler, Women and Fashion " at the Frick Collection, E. 70th Street, New York City, through July 13th, 2003.

Display by Babs White, Susan Helms and Avery Flowers.

Click here for more of the
Costume Collection


 From the Costume Collection:

A Fashion Plate Out Of Godey's Lady's Book - 19th C.

From the Costume Collection

Godey's Lady's Book, first published in 1830, enjoyed great popularity and became a leading fashion authority until the late 1860's when the character of fashion changed and women became more sophisticated.

This magazine of essays and features focused on female interests including handwork, such as knitting, crocheting, lace and beadwork. Colored fashion plates appeared from time to time and were often pirated from French and English periodicals.

In order to achieve the bell shaped silhouette of the 1840's and 1850's, women wore as many as six petticoats. The invention of the "Cage Crinoline" in 1856 (a series of steel hoops held by cotton tapes) provided great relief.

One Piece Dress - Green and rust muted plaid silk taffeta. Bodice fastened with tiny black silk covered buttons, pagoda sleeves trimmed with contrasting bands of black silk braid. C. 1858
Gift of Janet Jainschigg

Undersleeves of white netting. C.1858
Gift of Mrs. Mark Norman

Marble top walnut table. C.1860
Gift of Mrs. Judith Groppa

Une Siècle de modes feminines. 1794 - 1894
Gift of Mrs. Virginia MacGregor

Miser's purse -Orange and tan knit with cut steel beads and fringe.
Mid 19th C.

Paper photograph, gilt mat. C.1860's
Gift of Louise Fort

Glass photograph: Ambro, "Coral Glass" 1856. Embossed leather case. 1851.

Hair bracelet, micromosaic and gold clasp. 1867

 From the Costume Collection:       Godey's Lady's Book. 1860

   Deguèreotype - Morehouse family member, embossed leather case. C.1860
 From the Darien Historical Collection

From the Costume Collection
Fashion-conscious women looked forward to their monthly issues of Godey's Lady's Book. A dress pattern might be included - or instructions for making a fashion accessory such as a beaded reticule, belt or hair ornament.

Elias Howe invented the sewing machine in 1840 and Isaac Singer developed it for the mass market. By 1851 it was available to both professional and amateur dress makers.

Paper patterns, available in fashion magazines since the 1830's, were now also for sale at a modest price through the Butterick Company.

In 1826 the Clark Brothers of Paisley, Scotland, developed an inexpensive smooth cotton arn to replace silk: "ONT"(our new thread.)

Godey's Lady's Book.1885.
"Work pages"
 Gift of Mrs. Virginia MacGregor

Needlepoint chair seat. Mid to late 19th C.
Gift of Mrs. R. O. White

Needlecase, tan velvet, crystal bead floral motif.
Gift of Mrs. R. O. White

Strawberry "Needle-sharp"
Gift of Mrs. R. O. White

Handpainted portrait brooch, handpainted buttons, handpainted reticule- navy, silver, red floral motif. C.1860.

Ivory sewing aids - used to thread ribbon on lingerie trim.
Lent by Mrs. Susan Helms

Assortment of pins. Early to mid 19th C.
Gift of Mr. Robert Baylis

Mourning pins. C.1870
Gift of Mrs. Sarah Conley

Etui - ivory sewing kit, fitted with scissors, thimble, needle case, stiletto to make holes.
Lent by Mrs. June Reilly

Assortment of Clark's threads. 20th C.


Display by Babs White and Susan Helms.

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Costume Collection pages

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Darien Historical Society
Judy Groppa, Executive Director
Susan Bhirud, Education Coordinator
Ulla Kremer, Office Manager
Telephone: (203) 655-9233
E-mail: darien-historical@sbcglobal.net