Thu May 23 2013
by April Helms |
Special Products Editor
"They wore THAT to the beach?"
That is a common reaction from people who come to see "A Day at the Beach: Seaside Fashion, 1860-1915," at the Kent State University Museum, said Sara Hume, curator.
The exhibit takes a look at beachware for women and children, from an 1860s dress to two 1915 bathing suits.
Visitors expecting to see actual bathing wear could be in for a shock: "beachware" usually were lighter-colored versions of the traditional fashions was worn on seaside vacations, made with lighter materials such as cotton. One example is a white dress from the 1880s, which is made of cotton and eyelet.
"Most dresses from that era were very heavy, made with heavy materials such as brocade," she said.
The notion of a day at the beach was different than today's version of swimming and sunbathing.
"They didn't go to the beach so much to get a sun tan, but for fresh air," Hume said. But women would bring gloves and parasols to keep from getting too much sun.
"A Day at the Beach" can be seen through Oct. 7.
The museum is at 515 Hilltop Drive, at the corner of East Main and South Lincoln streets, in Kent. The museum is open to the public Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 4:45 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for children under 18. The museum is free with a Kent State ID, free to the public on Sundays and offers free parking.
For more information, call 330-672-3450 or visit www.kent.edu/museum.
E-mail: ahelms@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3153
RPC Photo / April K. Helms
This white cotton dress is from around the late 1880s, and is an example of a typical dress that would have been worn on a seaside vacation. While this might seem like a very formal -- and very elaborate -- dress for beachware by today's standards, this dress would have been considered lightweight.
RPC Photo / April K. Helms
These two dresses would have been worn in the early 1900s, and this boy's outfit would have been worn in the late 19th century.
RPC Photo / April K. Helms
The bathing suit, pictured right, was made sometime between 1910 and 1919, and was made of wool. The outfit included a tunic and bloomers. The white sailor suit, which would have been made for a boy from the early 20th century, is made of cotton.
RPC Photo / April K. Helms
These three children's dresses would have been typical wear for the beach during the late 1800s.
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