Tue. through Fri. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sun. 1-4 p.m.
Visit the Oyster Bay Historical Society Exhibition featuring 19th and 20th century fashions.
Through the years women have been the driving force of fashion. Walk the streets of New York City in the 1890s and you would be captured by the sounds of rustling flowing fabrics, glistening hat pins on large brimmed feathered hats and beaded purses. Today skirts may be shorter, tops lower, heels higher, but we are still enamored with fashion and how it affects a women's persona. The Oyster Bay Historical Society's textile collection has exquisite examples of fashion through the ages. We have highlighted each piece from our collection for its unique contour, fabric and style. Fashion is a statement that has been worn by women as a work of art. In this exhibition the chosen textiles are showcased because of their good condition and their timeless style that is still wearable today.
Since 1960 the Oyster Bay Historical Society has collected over 200 individual items of textiles, costumes, and fashion accessories. Materials include apparel and shoes, hats and fans, flags and quilts, bibs, bonnets, and stockings, among many others. Much of the collection was first documented and photographed by Oyster Bay High school interns (including the daughter of current Society Trustee Steve Walker). Today, the Society is preparing a fully digital catalog of this growing collection.
The Oyster Bay Historical Society’s desire by exhibiting selected pieces from our extensive collection of textiles is to raise awareness and funds for the importance of conservation. We can count on the generosity of our members, patrons and sponsors for conservation funds to preserve this irreplaceable collection.
