Highlights Archives
Civil War History Continues to Fascinate
The years preceding and during America's Civil War continue to capture our interest. And, on Sunday, April 15, two very dissimilar Civil War-era topics — antebellum fashions and abolition — will share the stage in a program sponsored by the Friends of the Wisconsin Historical Society when Nancy and Scott Wolfe take a look back at the era.
Flimsies to Furbelows: Women's Dress in the Antebellum Era
Vintage clothing collector, expert and author, Nancy Wolfe, unpacks her 19th-century sea trunk filled with pre-Civil War clothing. She will discuss the features that reveal when they were made and worn. Some items of men's and children's clothing and accessories will also be included in the presentation. All of the period clothing is from her extensive private collection. A contributing editor to the recently published Antique Trader Vintage Clothing Price Guide, Nancy Wolfe features much of her clothing in the book. Copies of the publication will be available for purchase in the museum store.
Mrs. Wolfe recently retired from the position of assistant director of the Galena/Jo Davies County Historical Society and History Museum in northern Illinois.
After a brief intermission with refreshments, the program will continue with Nancy's husband Scott's presentation.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Harper's Ferry
Waukesha native H. Scott Wolfe, who settled in Galena, Illinois, the home of his maternal ancestors and of Union General and later President Ulysses S. Grant. A Civil War enthusiast since childhood, Wolfe devoted himself to research and specialized in the history of militant abolitionist John Brown, depicted in the John Steuart Curry illustration above (courtesy of the Kansas State Historical Society), and the members of Brown's Provisional Army of the United States. For the last two decades, Scott has been assembling biographical materials dealing with more than 25 of Brown's "soldiers" — interviewing their descendents, visiting their birthplaces, locating their clandestine hideouts, and unraveling the scenes of their final tragedy at Harper's Ferry.
Wolfe presently serves as the historical librarian for the Galena Public Library District.
Cost of the two-part presentation is $10 per person. Advance registration is encouraged by April 6 by calling 608-258-0055 or via e-mail, but walk-in guests are welcome to pay at the door.
:: Posted April 4, 2007
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