Maine Memory Network

Cape with burnoose hood, ca. 1865

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: circa 1865 Media: wool, cotton, mother of pearl, metal

Watered silk cape, ca. 1865

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: circa 1865 Media: silk, cotton

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.

Historic Clothing Collection - Outerwear 1830-1860

"Outerwear 1830-1860 Wide crinolines restricted outerwear to wraps, shawls, capes, and easy fitting garments such as a black and brown watered silk…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1870-1890 - Page 2 of 4

"Early examples include a blueish purple 1860s highly trimmed walking dress with a short basque (a fitted jacket-like bodice) and flat fronted skirt…"