Join the John Brown House Museum, a museum of the Rhode Island Historical Society, on Thursday, March 13, for Fashion in the Times of Sylvia DeWolf Ostrander (1841-1925), a talk by fashion historian Rebecca Kelly. This event is in support of the exhibit, The Girl of My Dreams, Sylvia: A 19th Century Life from artist Stacy Morrison.
The talk will begin at 5:30pm, when Kelly will discuss the radical changes in fashion that Sylvia would have witnessed during her lifetime. She’ll explore questions such as, “Was Sylvia a follower of fashion? Or did she use clothing as a means of self-expression?”
Guests are invited to enjoy a light reception prior to the talk, with doors opening at 4:30pm. They will also be welcome to tour The Girl of My Dreams with artist Stacy Morrison at 4:45pm.
Admission is $5 for RIHS members and $10 for nonmembers.
Kelly is a textile historian, artist, and the Executive Director and Curator of the South County Museum in Narragansett, RI. Her research interests include studying the Gilded Age, particularly the work of under-recognized women fashion designers. Her current research explores the economies of New England resort cities and establishes legacies for women who made and retailed sportswear in towns such as Newport and Narragansett, RI. As an artisan, she studies the history and psychology of color and the meaning and symbolism of plants and flowers. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in art history and a Master of Science in textile conservation from The University of Rhode Island, where she is a member of the part-time teaching faculty.
Advance tickets are recommended as space is limited. Tickets are available here.