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SIDNEY — The Friends of the Maine State Museum, in collaboration with the Maine State Museum and Snow Pond Center for the Arts, will present a celebration and history of the “little black dress,” at Snow Pond’s Lakeside Lodge.
The first of its kind “pop up” exihibit of memorial objext and inconic evening dress artificacts rarely seen by the public will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5.
The vibrant and historic celebration of the dress includes everything from Victorian mourning practices and attire to modern day iconic fashion in a feast of performance arts and exhibition. Tickets available online or at the door.
Decorative Arts Curator Laurie LaBar will be on site to guide visitors and the performance arts students of Snow Pond Arts Academy will also perform an interpretive dance, fashion plate art, illustrating the history of the little black dress. Libby Bischof, professor of history and director of the Center for Collaboration and Development at the University of Southern Maine, will share an illustrated presentation exploring the sartorial practices of mourning in New England in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Bischof will highlight traditional mourning customs including hair jewelry, hair wreaths, mourning dresses, and post-mortem photography, with particular emphasis on the culture of mourning during the Victorian era.
Guests can bid on one-of-a-kind silent auction items and original fashion plate art and a cash bar will offer a unique Victorian cocktail. Those attending may come as they are comfortable, or don that little black dress and best suit.
Proceeds from the event will ensure new programs and collections care initiatives at the Maine State Museum. The Friends of the Maine State Museum collaborate with community and state-wide partners to join resources to educate and bring history to life, and to further efforts to preserve and share Maine’s rich history and heritage through building a broad base of support for the Maine State Museum. This is a unique opportunity for our community, its cultural institutions, and our youth to immerse their talents and energy to create history.
For ticket information, email friends.museum@maine.gov, call 207-287-2304 or visit www.mainestatemuseum.org.
