Fedora, 1920-1940

According to our records, the hat 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 phil…

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…

Playsuit, 1940-1945

Hat, 1940-1944

This hat belonged to Elizabeth Parke Firestone. 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 history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection illustrates her impeccable taste in fashion.

Hat, 1940-1948

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 history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection illustrates her impeccable taste in fashion.

Shoes, 1940-1950

Mrs. Firestone surely had these made to match a specific outfit. They may have been used for social occasions at home.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 history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection illustrates her impeccable taste in fashion.

Shoes, 1930-1940

Mrs. Firestone likely wore these low-heeled shoes for more casual day wear or travel. The styling appears to be from the 1930s.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 history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection illustrates her impeccable taste in fashion.

Shoes, 1925-1940

Mrs. Firestone likely used these sturdy, comfortable shoes for casual day wear-- particularly for travel in the late 1920s and 1930s. 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 history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection illustrates her impeccable taste in fashion.

Shoes, 1935-1940

This is one of the few pairs of high heeled shoes in our collection that date from the later 1930s. Mrs. Firestone likely had them custom made to match a specific outfit, now gone. 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 history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection illustrates her impeccable…

Shoes, 1925-1940

Mrs. Firestone likely wore these sturdy, low-heeled shoes for travel and every day casual wear. These could have been used from the later 1920s throughout the 1930s. 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 history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection illustrates her impeccable taste in fashi…

Shoes, 1925-1940

These are classic pumps, and could have been worn for two decades. Mrs. Firestone may well have worn these shoes during foreign travel, as they are both attractive and practical.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 history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection illustrates her impeccable ta…

Silk Organza Sleeveless Evening Dress and Jacket, 1937

Dress and jacket of thin, peach-colored silk organza. Bodice goes over the head and wrap-ties in front. Bodice is sleeveless with V-neckline. Center, front, and waistline piping accents. Peplum below waistline. Three coiled-cord buttons. Very full bias-cut skirt over beige silk chemise. Separate matching jacket with tucked yoke and short sleeves. Clothing label: ALIX/PARIS. Number inscribed on label: 7027. ALIX was the label of Alix Gres, also known as Madame Gres. Born as either Germaine Krebs …

Purse, 1930-1940

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 history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection illustrates her impeccable taste in fashion.

Shoes, 1925-1940

These are comfortable late 1920s-early 1930's pumps used for special occasions. They were surely made to match a specific outfit. Edward Cohen was one of Mrs. Firestone's preferred shoemakers in the late 1920s. 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 history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collect…

Wine Colored Velvet Evening Dress, 1940

Dress of wine-colored velvet with intertwining serpentine cut-out design over wine net; gold/navy blue lame shows through cut-outs. Serpentine figuring is smaller at bustline and larger at hem. Heart-shaped bodice with spaghetti straps and raised waistline. Clothing label on dress: Jean Patou/PARIS. Clothing label on gold underdress: BERGDORF-GOODMAN/FIFTH AVENUE AT 58TH STREET. Handwritten on tag sewn on back of label: Mrs. H. Fireston/10-16-40/64211. This garment was owned by Mrs. Harvey Fires…

Shoes, 1925-1940

While these shoes are not marked, they strongly resemble other shoes in the collection made by Edward Cohen of New York. Mr. Cohen was a favorite shoe maker of Mrs. Firestone in the late 1920s and early 1930s. 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 history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collecti…

Platform Sandals, 1940-1950

Mrs. Firestone liked pinks of all kinds. She purchased many shoes and clothes in pink and fuschia- such as these shoes- mainly in the 1940s and 1950s. 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 history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection illustrates her impeccable taste in fashion.

Boy's Suit, 1940

According to the donor, this suit was worn by Richard Royhans Johnson for his first communion, most likely at Visitation Church in Highland Park, Michigan (Johnson was born in Marion, Indiana in the spring of 1941 or 1942). It is a nice example of a shorts suit for a boy moving up from a knicker suit.

Shoes, 1940-1950

These are the style of shoes Mrs. Firestone wore during the 1940s. It is unclear how well the ankle ties would have stayed tied very long. They were likely usedin the summer for evening and social occasions.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 history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection …

Shoes, 1920-1940

These shoes strongly resemble "jigs" or " gillies"-- a Scottish shoe made for dancing. This is more of a street shoe than the typical gillie. They were likely worn for casual wear or travel.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 history of luxury," Elizabeth Parke Firestone's clothing collection illustrates her i…