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Free Lecture: The Life Cycle of Clothing in the 19th Century
September 2, 2021 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm UTC+5.5
Leave behind today’s fast fashion, and learn from a historian how clothes were cared for in the 1800s.
On Thursday, September 2 at noon, join the Ellwood House and DeKalb County History Center for “The Lifestyle of Clothing in the 19th Century,” a free lecture by Erika Holst, Illinois Road Scholar and Curator of History at the Illinois State Museum.
“In today’s world of fast fashion we have become used to a minimal investment in our clothing, in terms of money and especially in terms of time,” says Holst. “During the 1800s, a significant portion of a woman’s day was dedicated to making, mending, washing, and making over clothing, and in wringing every last scrap of usefulness out of textiles by recycling them when clothing was too worn to be mended anymore.”
During this one-hour presentation, Holst will highlight the work that went into clothing using examples from the Illinois State Museum’s historic garment collection.
The presentation is part of Brown Bag Lunch/Local Lore, the museums’ series of free monthly lectures.
Brown Bag Lunch/Local Lore is generously supported by the Mary E. Stevens Concert and Lecture Fund.