Maine Memory Network

Revolutionary War-era styled gown, Portland, ca. 1825

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: circa 1825 Location: Portland Media: Silk, cotton

Grand Bal Masque benefit plans, Portland, 1863

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: 1863-04-15 Location: Portland Media: Ink on paper

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Northern Threads: Two centuries of dress at Maine Historical

Organized by themed vignettes, Northern Threads shares stories about Maine people, while exploring how the clothing they wore reveals social, economic, and environmental histories. This re-examination of Maine Historical Society's permanent collection is an opportunity to consider the relevance of historic clothing in museums, the ebb and flow of fashion styles, and the complexities of diverse representation spanning 200 years of collecting.

Dressing Up, Standing Out, Fitting In

Adorning oneself to look one's "best" has varied over time, gender, economic class, and by event. Adornments suggest one's sense of identity and one's intent to stand out or fit in.

Historic Clothing Collection - Northern Threads: Two centuries of dress at Maine Historical Society - Page 2 of 3

"In the United States, costume is commonly associated with clothing worn during theatrical performances, masquerade balls, or during Halloween."

Historic Clothing Collection - Eighteenth Century - Page 1 of 3

"… was altered and re-constructed, perhaps as a costume (known at the time as "fancy dress") in homage to the Marquis, or as an early example of the…"

A Maine Family's story of being Prisoners of War in Manila
by Nicki Griffin

As a child, born after the war, I would hear these stories - glad they were finally written down