Past Exhibits

UNFOLDED
Recent Quilt Acquisitions

A small part of Chester County quilting heritage was on view in late 2022. This installation of vibrant colors featured quilts donated between 2015 and 2022. Cotton and silk predominated this array of traditional examples from the 1800s and creative group projects in the later 1900s.

Profiles: Chester County Clothing in the 1800s

CLOTHING REVEALS A GREAT DEAL ABOUT WHO WE ARE.

In the early 1800s the United States was a new nation. Economic and political opportunity varied across the country.
Chester County was the same, with residents ranging from poor to wealthy.

The clothing people wore revealed individual identity, personal choice and place within the community. With Chester County being only one day’s horse ride from Philadelphia, local people had access to global trends. They accepted or rejected fashion styles based on what they could afford, their personal preferences and, in some cases, what they believed. Both high fashion and everyday adaptations appeared throughout the century.

View By Era

Greek and Roman Design

(1800-1820)

Before The Civil War

(1821-1861)

Fashion Plates

(1861-1880)

Ready-Made & Handmade

(1881-1899)