4-H Uniform, 1948-1949

This dress was sewn at home by Ruth Ann Herriott (nee Goodell) when she was a member of the Willing Workers 4-H Club in Eden Township, Benton County, Iowa, near Garrison. She joined the club, referred to as the Eden Willing Workers, in 1942 at age 10; she probably made this in the later 1940s.

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…

Boy's Suit, about 1820

The military-looking Eton-style suit was common for young boys in the 19th Century and was used for school or special occasions. This rare example belonged to the Mitchell family of rural New York State (as did the very similar suit numbered 35.596.57). The jacket front is very typical of those worn around 1820. This is a variation of the skeleton suit in which the trouser buttons attached to a shirt or braces rather than the jacket.

Boy's Suit, 1820-1830

The Eton-style suit was common for young boys in the 19th Century and was used for school or special occasions. This rare and rather expensive example belonged to the Mitchell family of rural New York State (as did the very similar suit numbered 35.596.5).The jacket front is very typical of those worn around 1820. The suit is nicely made but not exquisitely so; it is all hand-sewn and of lovely silk fabric. This is a variation of the skeleton suit in which the buttons on the waistband attach to …

Boy's Jacket, about 1820

This young boy's military-looking jacket is unlined and was probably for summer wear. It belonged to the Mitchell family of rural New York State.

Boy's Sailor Suit, about 1925

Concentration Camp Uniform, about 1940-1945

Worn by Jan Kamienski, a Polish Catholic who was seized by the Germans inApril, 1940 in Poznan, Poland and set to Dachau, then to Mauthausen, then back to Dachau.He spent a little over five years in a concentration camp when he was liberated by the GIs.He spoke and read German and Polish and was apparently used as a translator in the camps.He was very ill during his internment but managed to survive.He came to Detroit shortly after the war where he met and married the donor of the uniform.He die…

Long Nurses Uniform

Long nurses uniform, woven grey cotton, long gathered sleeves, front bodice panel, and pleated skirt. White trim on collar, cuffs, and apron. Button closure on apron and large pockets. Tag on garment reads ‘Ruth Elenor Heidtman’. Mainbocher brand, circa 1940-1949.