1. Eliza Philbrick's "Colonial Gown"
mystery--Eliza had this gown made in 1898 from rough brown
wool made on her grandfather's farm in New Hampshire before
1820, but where did the embroidery come from?
solution--she found an old piece or crewelwork, probably
originally from a bed valance, and added it to the skirt then
later reproduced it. The valance went to one museum, the dress
to another. Re-united, they match perfectly.
In her fanciful dress, Philbrick gave her rural ancestors an urban polish
they never had.
Image kindly provided by the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA.
