Preservation Assistance for the Vassar College Costume Collection

FAIN: PG-50951-10

Vassar College (Poughkeepsie, NY 12604-0001)
Arden Kirkland (Project Director: May 2009 to October 2011)

Hiring consultants to conduct a preservation assessment of the Drama Department's costume collection, to purchase preservation supplies, and to hold workshops for staff and students on the appropriate handling of costumes. The collection contains clothing dating from the 1820s. It is used by students and researchers in the study of the history of fashion, drama, and the history of the college.

The Vassar College Costume Collection (VCCC), a research collection of historic clothing maintained in Vassar's Drama Department, seeks a Preservation Assistance Grant for the Historic Costume Preservation Project. This project will include a general preservation assessment, preservation supplies, and education and training in the form of a series of three workshops. Since the VCCC exists as a study collection, the goal of conducting a condition survey, with condition reports for each of the 535 objects in the collection, presents a wonderful opportunity for hands-on experience with the objects. Working with professional consultants, staff and students will learn best practices for proper handling of costume objects; assessment and documentation of their condition; museum cataloging procedures; and stabilization and mounting techniques to conserve and safely display the objects.

Associated Products

Blog for the Historic Costume Preservation Workshop (Web Resource)
Title: Blog for the Historic Costume Preservation Workshop
Author: Arden Kirkland
Abstract: In the spring of 2010, students, faculty, and staff at Vassar College came together to participate in this NEH grant-funded project, which came to be known as the Historic Costume Preservation Workshop (or affectionately known as the HCPW for short). This project included a general preservation assessment, education and training in the form of a series of 3 workshops, and the purchase of needed preservation supplies. The participants' activities are recorded in this blog.
Year: 2010
Primary URL: http://blogs.vassar.edu/hcpw
Primary URL Description: The blog for the Historic Costume Preservation Workshop

Fashioning an Education (Exhibition)
Title: Fashioning an Education
Curator: Arden Kirkland
Abstract: “Fashioning an Education: 150 Years of Vassar Students and What They Wore” May 16-June 12 at the Palmer Gallery, Vassar College (Poughkeepsie, NY) To celebrate the college’s 150th anniversary, the Vassar College Costume Collection will share student research about the complex role that education has played to influence fashion. This exhibition will showcase student clothing from the 1860's to 1950's and photographs of student styles from the 1960's to today. While this exhibition was not directly a part of our NEH funded project, it would not have been possible without the work done on our NEH project the previous year.
Year: 2011
Primary URL: http://vcomeka.com/vccc/exhibits/show/fashioning/introduction
Primary URL Description: This link leads to the first page of our digital exhibition; from there you can follow the tabs and arrows to navigate through the exhibition.

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