Wedding Dresses From the Turn of the 20th Century to the 1950s
When asked to develop an exhibit using our collection of wedding dresses, I couldn’t have been more delighted. In my six years as a volunteer, I had always wanted to get into that ‘sacred’ storage area that preserves our over 200 costumes. My first work day was like Christmas morning opening up boxes not knowing what gems I would find inside each one. What I did find became the basis for this exhibit of fifteen vintage dresses, some over 120 years old, donated over the years by Barrington residents.
By visiting the exhibit, you will see a dress that broke with tradition – it is the color rust, a dress worn by three generations of brides, a dress with a 12-foot train, and a dress with a memento sewn into the bodice. Each dress is unique and many are handmade. Most are in unbelievably excellent condition.