Kent State Exhibitions

There are two costume exhibits at the Kent State University Museum that I would love to see: On the Home Front: Civil War Fashions and Domestic Life which runs from September 30, 2011 to August 26, 2012 and A Day at the Beach which runs from November 18, 2011 to October 7, 2012. Logically, I should wait til after the second exhibit starts to visit, no? They also have a fantastic regular collection of historic costume, from the 18th century to today. *drools* Hmmm, Sundays are free admission, anyone want to visit with me?

From their website regarding the Civil War exhibit: "As Americans observe the 150^th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War, the Kent State University Museum will present an exhibit about the material circumstances and domestic life during the Civil War and in the years that followed. Through the display of women’s and children’s costumes, which will be supplemented with related photographs, decorative arts and women’s magazines, the exhibit “On the Home Front: Civil War Fashions and Domestic Life” will focus on the daily life and experiences of the American civilian population during the Civil War. Far from being a simple trivial diversion during such a critical period, fashion provides a unique window into the lived experience of Americans who despite being far from the battlefields were deeply and immediately touched by the conflict."

And the beachwear exhibit: "The image of women at the seaside in elegant white gowns was a popular subject for Impressionist painters. This exhibition explores the reality of summer tourism with a selection of actual garments of the style that would have been worn near and at the beach. The pieces date from the 1860s to the 1910s and include not only summer daywear for women and children but also swimwear."

Links:
http://www.kent.edu/museum/exhibits/exhibitdetail.cfm?customel_datapageid_2203427=2514745

http://www.kent.edu/museum/exhibits/exhibitdetail.cfm?customel_datapageid_2203427=2800237