Fort Nisqually and old lace
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More than a fashion statement
by Jennifer Johnson
Sep 27, 2007
Lace has been a preferred fashion accessory for centuries. To past generations of women, it was a status symbol and a visible declaration of social standing. The delicately woven pieces have been used in place of coin and currency in some areas and even forbidden in others. Owning one yard of finely constructed lace made the owner a wealthy person. Those with the talent to craft this lace made a good wage creating dainty, elaborately done items. The most recent lace trend went from the mid-1800s through the 1900s for children and women’s fashion, though men’s clothing was just as heavily adorned from the 1500s on. For people of privilege, wealth or royalty, lace adorning every hem was as normal as wearing shoes.
Fort Nisqually Living History Museum will be showing fragile rare lace — handkerchiefs, shawls, gowns, gloves, jabots, ruffles, cuffs, scarves, collars, caps, parasols, fans, bonnets, and veils — Saturday afternoon. Some will be from the museum’s own collection, and some will be from lace specialist Nancy Evans’ private collection. Evans is a celebrated lace expert and will do a presentation on the many different ways the varied types of lace are crafted and the history of lace. Fort Nisqually is easily the best place for such a presentation. It offers the fun experience of stepping back in time to the mid-19th century.
[Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, Saturday, Sept. 29, 1 p.m., $2-$4, Point Defiance Park, 5400 N. Pearl, Tacoma, 253.591.5339, www.fortnisqually.org]
