Girl's Dress and Jacket, about 1870

A nice special occasion dress, worn with a blousewaist. The use of magenta and black together suggests a circa 1870 fabric - a popular aniline dye combination at the time. Also, the zouave-style jacket was popular in 1860s. The red and black silk "shag" trim on the jacket is interesting but is not a great match for rest of the piece. Overall, this girl's outfit has the feel of the bustle and puff style popular in women's dresses of the 1870s.

Maternity Suit, about 1955

This suit was handmade by the donor's mother, Barbara Jean Thomas LaBarge, and worn during at least one of her two pregnancies from late 1952 to mid 1956.

Maternity Suit, about 1955

This suit was worn by the donor's mother, Barbara Jean Thomas LaBarge, during at least one of her two pregnancies from late 1952 to mid 1956.

Maternity Suit, about 1955

Child's Dress and Jacket, 1850-1860

This outfit could have been made for use by either sex, but was probably made for a boy due to the shortness of the skirt (with knickers probably visible underneath). The printed wool is very fine. The flat-pleating all around suggests an 1850s date. A fashionable dress for warm weather.

Twenty-Fifth Wedding Anniversary Dress with Jacket, 1946

On June 25, 1946, the Firestones threw a fine party at the Ritz Hotel in New York in celebration of their silver (25th) wedding anniversary. Mrs. Firestone never looked thinner or younger than she did when she wore this sheath-like dress made by New York designer Carrie Munn.Born in Decatur, Illinois in 1897 Elizabeth Parke married Harvey S. Firestone Jr., son of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company founder Harvey S. Firestone, in 1921.Once described by a friend as, "the most luxurious woman in the…