1860's Exhibit of Period Clothing-Kennesaw Mountain, GA

1860's Exhibit of Period Clothing

Yesterday, I spent the day with my friend Becca. The both of us drove down to Kennesaw Mountain, GA to view a traveling exhibit of States War Civilian Artifacts. The extensive exhibit of clothing, ladies wear, mens wear, childrens, bonnets, parasols and more is owned by PNJW Collections.
When we arrived, we were greeted warmly by two ladies dressed in reproduction clothing. With them were also two gentlemen, also dressed in reproduction clothing. They let us know if we had any questions, to feel free to ask them. But refrain from touching the garments. Which was understandbly so. Such delicate garments, however, I must say I was impressed with the condition of much of the exhibit. Most of the underpinnings displayed, had very little stains on them. But only bore little yellowing from age.
The first to which we saw was the childrens wear. Both Becca and I were eager to see childrens wear, since being mothers and are quite interested in seeing how children of the period dress. There were two quite darling toddler dresses, both of which were preserved extremely well!! Another dress for a older girl had caught my eye. It was a beautiful fushcia colored dress, with puffed sleeves that somewhat resembled the sleeves on my ball gown. But of only one tier of "poofiness". Then was topped off with what appeared to be like petal-like caps. The waistband and the hem of the dress was trimmed with a black soutache braid, with it sewn in a pattern to look like bows. Quite sweet indeed!!
One of the other items that really intrigued me, was the ladies simple ball gown. It appeared to have a pattern on the off white silk fabric. The sleeves were quite simple with a lace curtain. But otherwise, the dress featured no extravagent ornamentation.
I noticed that most of the dresses, including the childrens wear, the waist treatments were done with a cartridge pleat. One dress looked as though it had a box pleat. But no gathering of waistlines. So, I think for now, I plan on making the waistline either cartridge pleat, or box pleat. Come to think of it, I may go back and redo some of my daughter's dresses.
I also noticed that piping was for the most part in the armsyce, and neckline. I dont recall seeing much on the waistline. But the piping was thin even on the ladies wear. Whereas today, piping is much thicker!! I'll need to work on my piping skills for sure!!
Besides clothing, the exhibit featured bonnets. One thing Becca noticed that with the bonnets, and the time line progressed, the spoon bonnets appeared to get higher and higher.
There also was many CDV's, fans, hair jewelry, and even a porttion of the exhibit they had regarding mourning. Which was quite interesting!!
If ever there is a chance to see such an exhibit by PNJW Collections, I would highly recommend it!! There website is www.pnjwcollections.com and its an exhibit well worth seeing!!!

The link at the top is to my slide show of the photographs that I took myself at the exhibit. I just need to get me some beautiful fushcia colored fabric to duplicate that dress for my daughter!