Suit of Coat, Vest, and Trousers, about 1920-1940

According to our records, the suit belonged to Henry Ford.Born in 1863 on a farm in what is now Dearborn, Michigan, Henry Ford parlayed a youthful aptitude for engineering into a career as an automotive innovator and founder/president of Ford Motor Company. Among his ideas were the introduction of the first moving automobile assembly line, affordable pricing, fair wages for employees, and the vertical integration of manufacturing processes from raw materials to the finished product. His many phi…

Men's Slippers, about 1858

Undress or negligee dress was the term given to casual, loose-fitting clothing worn in the morning before changing in to fashionable day dress. Men's embroidered slippers (bright-colored worsted work on canvas) were very popular in the early Victorian period. Ladies magazines often included embroidery patterns for house slippers that a woman mightmake for her husband as a gift. Please note that the term Berlin Work or Berlin Woolwork comes from the fact that the best embroidery patterns came fro…

Baseball Uniform Shirt, about 1865-1885

By the late 1850s, baseball became an increasingly formal sport with urban teams sporting their own uniforms.The predominant style shirt of the late 1850s into the 1870s was a bib front.Typical as well, is an abbreviation of the club name on the bib.The maker of this top applied the letters "A B B C." The letter "A" signifies the club name, and it may reflect a specific town such as Akron or the club name such as "Atlantic."The letters "B B C" represent the term "base ball club," and was also ty…

Baseball Knickers, about 1930

Likely worn by Thomas Palmer Bradfield of Orchard Lake, Michigan during the 1930s.No matching jersey or shirt; however, it is clear a shirt would have buttoned to the interior of the waistband. Little usage, although there are a few stains.Thomas Palmer Bradfield was born 1899 in Grand Rapids, MI. He was born in to one of Michigan's oldest mining families.His great grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, was a pioneer investor and developer of mines and railroads in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. His gr…

Duster, about 1915

The material does not feel as if it is all wool--perhaps wool and cotton or wool and linen. Worn by Willis C. Ward, it is typical in the styling of men's driving dusters. The material, however, is uncommon, as most dusters were generally linen. Willis C. Ward was born in 1861 to one of Michigan's wealthest families of the 19th century. His father David Ward, made his fortune in lumber and acquired and sold timbered land throughout the United States.

Mens Suit, about 1880

This morning suit belonged to Willis C. Ward. He likely used it for a wedding or other special occasion. It is exquisitely made and looks to have been rarely used.Willis C. Ward was born in 1861 to one of Michigan's wealthest families of the 19th century. His father David Ward, made his fortune in lumber and acquired and sold timbered land throughout the United States.

Trousers, about 1820-1850

Worn by a member of the Mitchell family of New York State.Used on an everyday basis for hard work.

Waistcoat, about 1780-1840

Maybe an under waistcoat, worn under other waistcoast as it is very plain and there is original piecing at side front, indicating the sides would not have been seen.Inserted panel at side seams.Worn by a member of the Mitchell family of New York State.

Vest, about 1790

A rare survival of a winter or fall waistcoat used for hunting or sporting underneath a jacket.It seems likely the bright red color was akin to the orange vest used by hunters today.An expensive piece and few have survived.

Breeches, about 1800-1825

Trousers, about 1810-1820

Frock Coat, about 1770-1780

Exquisite frock coat from about the time of the American Revolution.Silk imported from England.Styling typical of the 1770s, great curved foreparts and heavy cuffed sleeves.Pink brocade and pink taffeta reminds us of the colorful dress of males in the 18th century. The chain stitching (ca. 1860) and newer fabrics indicate that repairs to the coat are later 19th century. The coat was probably used as theater costume in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Waistcoat, about 1830

A remarkable example of French embroidery executed with dyed and flattened moosehair.The Upper Great Lakes Natives employed moosehair embroidery work on their goods; however, they clearly adopted French styles here for trade to Europeans.Canadian museums contain a few similar examples, but this is rather rare.

Waistcoat, about 1805-1815

Rather dirty, but still handsome early 19th century (Empire) waistcoat, with typical high stand collar and short straight foreparts.Exquisite hand done backstitching.White on white embroidery popular in this era.Tab at center back might possibly be for hangingon a knob or peg.

Frock Coat, about 1830-1850

Plain yet attractive frock coat, probably used for some special occassion in a rural community.

Jacket, about 1800-1825

A fine early (Empire) 19th century men's jacket, likely worn with tight fitting pantaloons.

Men's Leisure Suit, about 1970-1978

Trousers and trouser suits were popular fashions in the 1970s.The pant shapes began as gently flared and reached wide bell bottom proportions by about 1975. They then slowly reduced to straight and wide until by the end of the seventies they were finally narrow again. Also called leisure suits, they were typically made in heavy fabrics including include crepes, wool jersey knits and woven Polyester suiting such as in this suit.

Trousers, about 1810-1830

Trousers, about 1800-1820

Pantaloons, about 1820-1840