Girl's Dress, 1880-1885

Straight, low-waisted, heavily knife-pleated girl's silhouette dresses were very common in the early 1880's; men's suit fashions were also often reflected in women's clothing of the period.

Vest, 1850-1880

Women's Shoes, about 1875

These are interesting shoes; likely a transitional shoes style popular just after the Civil War. They are machine sewn, but retain the straight soles that fall from favor shortly after the war. These are inexpensive, sturdy women's shoes worn by the ordinary housekeeper.

Bogwood Pendant, about 1865

Bog wood is petrified wood found in Irish bogs, and is generally pine or oak. Jewelry made of bog wood was exhibited at every major exhibition in Great Britain throughout the nineteenth century.Such pieces generally include Celtic or Irish motifs, like the Irish harp or lyre in this piece, or symbols or monuments found at early Christian sites in Ireland. They areparticularly popular with those of Celtic or Irish descent. These pieces are similar to the Scottish pebble jewelry that was popular i…

Bogwood Brooch, about 1865

Bog wood is petrified wood, usually oak or pine, found in Irish bogs. It was carved into trinkets and jewelry in the mid-late nineteenth century.Because of its association with Ireland the jewelry often includes Celtic or early Irish Christian references.Bog wood jewelry was shown at most of the exhibitions of the nineteenth century. This piece is part of a large collection given to the institution by Susan Stark of Lansing, MI.

Girl's Dress, about 1885

This is a fairly inexpensive and rather short ready-to-wear dress for a young girl. It is surely a summer or spring dress - light in color and easily washable. Dresses of this type were often advertised in clothing catalogs of the mid-1880s.

Child's Print Silk Twill Petticoat Dress, about 1885

White silk twill dress with printed blue sprigs, attached long-sleeved lace chemisette, and petticoat. High ruffled lace collar and ruffled lace sleeve cuffs. Self-fabric piping. Self-fabric sash around waist; bow-tied in center-back; padded to form slight bustle. Center-back button closures. Glazed cotton lining. Cotton petticoat with lace hem visible below dress hem, which is slit into panels. Machine lace. Machine and hand-sewn; dressmaker made. This is a fashionable princess-line party dress…

Girl's Dress, 1870-1880

This dress is notable as a homemade attempt at fashion: the colors are typical of the period, but the styling a bit naive. The piecing of the lining material is quite resourceful. The length indicates that it would have been used by a girl.

Dress, 1880-1882

This dress reflects the eighteenth century revival look of a pastoral shepherdess. Chambray was not unusual but the seersucker trim was unusual as a trim detail.

Boy's Tweed Jacket, 1880-1900

Girl's Dress, about 1870

This type of dress was very popular for railroad travel after the Civil War, and was probably worn in the summertime. One wonders if it functioned as a duster; however, it appears to be fairly close-fitting.

Child's Jester Costume, 1880-1910

Multi-piece jester costume of pink and light blue satin, trimmed with lace, bells, sequin, metallic beads. Includes jacket, knickers, cap, sash, and playing card plaques with spade and diamond appliques. Cap secures to head with elastic. Collar, sleeves, waist and jacket and knicker hems finished in triangular points with bell hanging from each point. Lace trim at neck, shoulders, sleeve ends, and knicker hems. Jacket has two patch pockets, hammered wire hook-and-eye closures, white glazed cotto…

Girl's Wrap, about 1895

This young lady's wrapper comes from the Scull family of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and was possibly worn by the daughter or granddaughter of Louise Ogle Scull. It appears to be an informal garment, used first thing in the morning. The train in the back is interesting - perhaps it was for a young woman who was rather short. The sleeves, which have some interesting piecing, indicate a circa 1895 date of manufacture. The vermicular printed fabric pattern is reminiscent of circa-1840 roller pri…