Historical Society Presents Women's Vintage Fashion Exhibit

Photo: Barbara Golde  Director of Exhibits and Carol Gurski, Museum Curator at the Brookfield Historical Society appear next to period dresses once worn by Brookfield Women. The clothing is part of an exhibit featuring vintage ladies wear.

Ladies Historic Apparel is a special summer exhibit that opened last week at The Brookfield Museum and Historical Society. Visitors can view  a variety of pieces, such as hand tinted Godey girl fashion prints and a formal dress worn by Brookfield's Eleanor Stuart Terrill in 1892.  The items are mainly part of the Museum's collection with some loaned from private parties. They include vintage, wedding and morning dresses, formal evening wear, early high button and dress shoes, lingerie, veils and Victorian and early ladies handkerchiefs.

Golde remarked, in retrieving the garments for the collection, that it is  "unbelievable that the women were so small during that era. Some dress waists measure as low as eighteen inches and foot sizes only 5 inches. The dress, veil and handkerchief designs are extremely detailed and beautiful to see."

The exhibit will be open every Saturday from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm, now through September. The Brookfield Museum and Historical Society is located at 165 Whisconier Road in Brookfield Center.