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Article Written by James McMahon, Ph.D. Posted by Emily Miller Introduction My name is James McMahon and for the past few months I have been working as a project archivist for LancasterHistory. My responsibilities include cataloging and digitizing a vast collection of archival materials that document the significant role of the cork industry in the […]
Read MoreAnd Sew It Begins… to Come Alive! With the bodice and skirt nearly completed, it’s time to put the pieces together. This is where the magic truly begins, for this is the part where the gown starts looking like something one could wear. Joining the Skirt to the Bodice To join the skirt to the […]
Read MoreA Titanic Story – Milton Hershey’s Near Sail on RMS Titanic Written by James McMahon, Ph.D. Milton and Catherine Hershey loved to travel. From the time of their marriage on May 28, 1895 until Catherine’s Hershey death on March 25, 1915, the Hersheys embarked on multiple tours of the United States, Europe, the Middle East, […]
Read MoreCreating the Skirt When it comes to this gown specifically, the skirt is the thing. Its free-form nature hangs off the body to highlight free movement and the natural form desired with the Neoclassical movement. Because the skirts are attached as a high Empire waist just under the bust, they also elongate the body in […]
Read MoreWritten by James McMahon, Ph.D. “… no man stands higher in business and social circles in the city of Lancaster than this man, who has been crowned with success.” Portrait and Biographical Record of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1894 Milton Snavely Hershey, the man behind the chocolate bar, was in many ways a son of Lancaster. […]
Read MoreConstructing the Bodice [There will be time] for a hundred visions and revisions, before the taking of toast and tea. -“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot Visions and Revisions T.S. Eliot may not have been writing about sewing, but his words provide us with a bit of wisdom for this project. […]
Read MoreWhy Recreate Historical Garments? Whenever I embark on recreating a historical garment, I remember why such recreation is important. As a historian, my mission is to research, understand, and present the past not as an abstract and irrelevant entity from “way back in ye days of olde,” but rather as a very real and almost […]
Read MorePresident James Buchanan was not known to be trendy. His high-collared outfits were a few years out of style. His niece, Harriet, was often frustrated at his traditional taste when decorating their Wheatland home. Even his political opinions did not seem to evolve with the times. But, President Buchanan set a trend – and a […]
Read MoreWritten by Elizabeth McIlhenney Wilbur “Willie” Siple (1904-1966) was the operator of Siple’s News Stand for many years. He was originally a professional boxer when he was younger, and he had a successful, but short, boxing career. During those six years, Willie fought in 131 exhibitions with 71 wins, 9 losses, 22 draws and 29 […]
Read MoreWhen discussing historical fashion, chances are the topic will lead to corsets. As soon as that word is mentioned, one (or more) of the following statements abound: “Women couldn’t breathe in corsets and fainted frequently. That’s why there’s fainting couches.” “But did you know women had ribs surgically removed to tight lace?” “Women were forced […]
Read MoreAccording to Central Market’s 1889 rules, dogs were not allowed inside. The cost for violating this rule was $10.