Contributed by Maine Historical Society
- MMN #105477
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Description
Lucia Wadsworth (1784-1864) reportedly wore this dress to an assembly, or social event, in 1799. The dress is representative of fashion around the turn of the 18th to the 19th century, when women favored simple white cottons.
The dress is made of a thin white imported muslin, with an embroidered floral spray design. Other stylish elements include a high waist, narrow bodice, low drawstring neckline, gathers at the back, and a train.
Lucia Wadsworth was Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's aunt. She lived with the poet and his family at the Wadsworth-Longfellow House in Portland, in the house she grew up in with her siblings. She was about 16 years old when she wore this dress to an assembly. The style was on trend for young women her age.
About This Item
- Title: Lucia Wadsworth's "assembly dress," Portland, ca. 1799
- Creation Date: circa 1799
- Subject Date: circa 1799
- Location: Portland, Cumberland County, ME
- Media: cotton, linen
- Local Code: A85-872
- Collection: Costume collection
- Object Type: Physical Object
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Clothing & dress
- Dresses
- Fashion
- Historic buildings--Maine--Portland.
- Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, 1807-1882--Homes and haunts--Maine--Portland
- Women's clothing--18th century
- Women's clothing--19th century
People
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
Use of this Item is not restricted by copyright and/or related rights, but the holding organization is contractually obligated to limit use. For more information, please contact the contributing organization. However, watermarked Maine Memory Network images may be used for educational purposes.
More to Consider
Item 7575
Lucia Wadsworth's Geometry and Geography School Book, 1794
Item 7576
Map of the United States as drawn by Lucia Wadsworth, 1794
Item 100201
Lucia Wadsworth, Portland, ca. 1862
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