Child's Shoes, about 1870

These are sturdy, simple, inexpensive half-boots likely worn by a working class child. Thick, strong leather would have been uncomfortable and unforgiving for the wearer.

Women's Slippers, about 1810

The double zig-zag vamp was popular from 1805-1815. The popularity of the oval toe precedes that of the square toe, which came in to high fashion from 1815-1830. The vamp and rounded toe of these shoes dates them to about 1805-1815.

Women's Slippers, about 1800

This style toe was popular in the very late 18th - early 19th century. While these are called slippers, they were actually fairly fashionable shoes. The heel on this pair is very fashionable. The handwork suggests that these were custom made.

Women's Slippers, about 1840

These shoes, sometimes called slippers, were used in the Victorian period for wear with a matching dress. Shoes like these were often laced on to the lower leg, sometimes elastic held them on. They wore poorly and quickly became damp and soiled.

Baby Booties, about 1930

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.

Women's Shoes, about 1800

These are one of the few pairs of 18th century women's shoes in our collection. The extremely pointed toes, small "Italian style" Louis heel, metallic braid and sumptuous trim indicate a late 18th to early 19th century date. These are expensive shoes made for an affluent woman of taste.

White Satin Wedding Slippers, 1918

White satin wedding slippers. (A gift from Stanley Kresge?) This pair of shoes was owned by Matilda Dodge Wilson (October 19, 1883 – September 19, 1967),who was the wife of John Francis Dodge (October 25, 1864 – January 14, 1920), co-founder of the Dodge Motor Car Company in Detroit, Michigan.

Light Blue Open Toe Wedding Shoes with Rhinestone Accents, 1938

Light blue wedding shoes which were owned by Frances Dodge (November 27, 1914 – January 24, 1971), who was the eldest daughter of John Francis Dodge (co-founder of Dodge Motor Company) and his third wife, Matilda Rausch Dodge (Wilson).

Silver Shoes with Floral Print, 1928

Silver with floral. This pair of shoes was owned by Matilda Dodge Wilson (October 19, 1883 – September 19, 1967),who was the wife of John Francis Dodge (October 25, 1864 – January 14, 1920), co-founder of the Dodge Motor Car Company in Detroit, Michigan.

Light Blue Open Toe Shoes with Ankle Straps, 1938

Light blue. This pair of shoes was owned by Matilda Dodge Wilson (October 19, 1883 – September 19, 1967),who was the wife of John Francis Dodge (October 25, 1864 – January 14, 1920), co-founder of the Dodge Motor Car Company in Detroit, Michigan.

Blue Satin Shoes with Ankle Straps, 1936

Blue satin shoes with ankle straps, whick were owned by Matilda Dodge Wilson (October 19, 1883 – September 19, 1967),who was the wife of John Francis Dodge (October 25, 1864 – January 14, 1920), co-founder of the Dodge Motor Car Company in Detroit, Michigan.

Printed Chinz Shoes, 1937

Printed chinz shoes in pink, lavender, yellow, green and white, which were owned by Matilda Dodge Wilson (October 19, 1883 – September 19, 1967),who was the wife of John Francis Dodge (October 25, 1864 – January 14, 1920), co-founder of the Dodge Motor Car Company in Detroit, Michigan.

Satin Shoes with Rhinestone Buckles, 1925

Medium brown satin shoes accented with buckles on teh front of red and green rhinestones, which were owned by Matilda Dodge Wilson (October 19, 1883 – September 19, 1967),who was the wife of John Francis Dodge (October 25, 1864 – January 14, 1920), co-founder of the Dodge Motor Car Company in Detroit, Michigan.

Velvet Slippers Embroidered with Gold Thread, 1935

Slippers of red velvet embroidered in gold thread, which were owned by Frances Dodge (November 27, 1914 – January 24, 1971), who was the eldest daughter of John Francis Dodge (co-founder of Dodge Motor Company) and his third wife, Matilda Rausch Dodge (Wilson).

Cotton Slippers Embroidered with Gold Thread, 1935

Slippers of blue cotton embroidered in gold thread, which were owned by Frances Dodge (November 27, 1914 – January 24, 1971), who was the eldest daughter of John Francis Dodge (co-founder of Dodge Motor Company) and his third wife, Matilda Rausch Dodge (Wilson).

Satin )pen Toe Slippers, 1937

Black satin open toed slippers lined in pink satin with a scalloped edge on bridge, which were owned by Matilda Dodge Wilson (October 19, 1883 – September 19, 1967),who was the wife of John Francis Dodge (October 25, 1864 – January 14, 1920), co-founder of the Dodge Motor Car Company in Detroit, Michigan.

Silk Evening Shoes with Ankle Straps, 1935

White silk evening shoes with ankle straps and trim of silver and white braid, which were owned by Matilda Dodge Wilson (October 19, 1883 – September 19, 1967),who was the wife of John Francis Dodge (October 25, 1864 – January 14, 1920), co-founder of the Dodge Motor Car Company in Detroit, Michigan.

Girls' Arabian Nights Sandals, 1922

Gold metallic sandals, girls Arabian Nights costume. This footwear was owned by Frances Dodge (November 27, 1914 – January 24, 1971), who was the eldest daughter of John Francis Dodge (co-founder of Dodge Motor Company) and his third wife, Matilda Rausch Dodge (Wilson).

Boy's Brocade Arabian Nights Shoes, 1922

Orange brocade shoes, boys Arabian Nights costume, which were owned by Daniel Dodge (1917 – 1938), son of John Francis Dodge (October 25, 1864 – January 14, 1920), the co-founder of the Dodge Motor Car Company in Detroit, Michigan.