Lectures
Illustrated lectures using power point presentations and artifacts-
Approximately 1 hour long
Working class dress of the Victorian Era
"Fashion Writers may talk of silks and satins as if they were the everyday wear of all women- but, in reality, the dress in which the husband and children see the wife and mother, at least six days out of seven, is a print, and the silk, if it exists at all, is only taken out of its folds for occasions, and is quickly restored when the motive for the unwonted display has ceased to exist."- Demorest 1884
As we search the internet and "fashion history" books we find that they are full of the wondrous rich velvets, sumptuous silks, and delicate laces. But what was the "fashion" for the thousands of women who were the wife and mother, the pioneer woman, or the "working woman"? Using clues from fashion magazines on "everyday" dress, period photos, and Marna Jean's personal collection of 19th century working clothing, we will examine and discuss what the differences were between those fashion plates and reality, how paper patterns and dressmaker's systems helped bring fashion to the working class, what types of fabrics were in use, exceptions to the "rules" in construction, and some of the shortcuts made to "working class" clothing.
Faces from the Past - Dating Period Photos
Are faces from the past peering namelessly from a shoebox in your closet? Would it help if you could just figure out “about when” those photos were taken? Marna Jean will explain different Victorian and Edwardian photo methods and fashions worn and then explain how both can be used to help place an approximate date on photographs. Attendees are welcome to bring a few of their photographs to be dated; bring a pencil and paper to jot down your newfound information. (Cabinet cards, CDV’s, Tintypes and other pre 1920’s photos preferred)
Here comes the Victorian Bride
A Plethora of wedding traditions, clothing and ideas beginning with Queen Victoria herself and extending through the titanic era. Did Victorian brides always wear white What customs did the Victorian bride follow? For the romantic at heart, bride to be, or lover of Victoriana, this will undoubtedly be a wonderful source of ideas!
Cowgirls and Shady Ladies
A primer on the "wilder side" of Victorian life from the ranch woman, to the entertainer, to the saloon girl. A comparative study will be done on "real" clothing as opposed to Hollywood/Silver Screen ideas and ideals. We tend to think of the ladies of the Old West with a modern mind set. I will attempt to show them as they were in their own time and world. Fashion back east dictated restrictive clothing, and proper ladies followed certain stringent rules to maintain respectability. Did the cowgirl have any less respect because of who she was and what she wore? Did the soiled dove really wear those fancy short costumes, or run around in nothing but their corset? Could a respectable lady wear red?? Do the movies have it right? Or has artistic liberty run awry?! When this class is finished hopefully you will have a better understanding of those ladies who dared to cross the line in the Old West.
Herbs for your use– We have been studying and using herbs for years in our household. Learn what we grow in our garden, plus traditional and historic herbs and their uses in medicine and more.
Approximately 1 hour long
Working class dress of the Victorian Era
"Fashion Writers may talk of silks and satins as if they were the everyday wear of all women- but, in reality, the dress in which the husband and children see the wife and mother, at least six days out of seven, is a print, and the silk, if it exists at all, is only taken out of its folds for occasions, and is quickly restored when the motive for the unwonted display has ceased to exist."- Demorest 1884
As we search the internet and "fashion history" books we find that they are full of the wondrous rich velvets, sumptuous silks, and delicate laces. But what was the "fashion" for the thousands of women who were the wife and mother, the pioneer woman, or the "working woman"? Using clues from fashion magazines on "everyday" dress, period photos, and Marna Jean's personal collection of 19th century working clothing, we will examine and discuss what the differences were between those fashion plates and reality, how paper patterns and dressmaker's systems helped bring fashion to the working class, what types of fabrics were in use, exceptions to the "rules" in construction, and some of the shortcuts made to "working class" clothing.
Faces from the Past - Dating Period Photos
Are faces from the past peering namelessly from a shoebox in your closet? Would it help if you could just figure out “about when” those photos were taken? Marna Jean will explain different Victorian and Edwardian photo methods and fashions worn and then explain how both can be used to help place an approximate date on photographs. Attendees are welcome to bring a few of their photographs to be dated; bring a pencil and paper to jot down your newfound information. (Cabinet cards, CDV’s, Tintypes and other pre 1920’s photos preferred)
Here comes the Victorian Bride
A Plethora of wedding traditions, clothing and ideas beginning with Queen Victoria herself and extending through the titanic era. Did Victorian brides always wear white What customs did the Victorian bride follow? For the romantic at heart, bride to be, or lover of Victoriana, this will undoubtedly be a wonderful source of ideas!
Cowgirls and Shady Ladies
A primer on the "wilder side" of Victorian life from the ranch woman, to the entertainer, to the saloon girl. A comparative study will be done on "real" clothing as opposed to Hollywood/Silver Screen ideas and ideals. We tend to think of the ladies of the Old West with a modern mind set. I will attempt to show them as they were in their own time and world. Fashion back east dictated restrictive clothing, and proper ladies followed certain stringent rules to maintain respectability. Did the cowgirl have any less respect because of who she was and what she wore? Did the soiled dove really wear those fancy short costumes, or run around in nothing but their corset? Could a respectable lady wear red?? Do the movies have it right? Or has artistic liberty run awry?! When this class is finished hopefully you will have a better understanding of those ladies who dared to cross the line in the Old West.
Herbs for your use– We have been studying and using herbs for years in our household. Learn what we grow in our garden, plus traditional and historic herbs and their uses in medicine and more.
