Silk taffeta dress c. 1865
The flat front & back fullness is typical of the late crinoline period. It was worn over a steel
spring hooped cage crinoline. This dress belonged to Amelia Locke of Saxtons River
village.

Skirt, bodice & cape 1880s
Afternoon dress of silk grosgrain weave. The donor Lura Phelps Park of Grafton said her
dress was "made in Chicago in 1882 and has about 800 silk balls as trimming": the date
may be a little early for the exaggerated bustle and the puffed sleeves which anticipate the
huge sleeves of the 90s. The skirt still has the tapes inside which would have held the
bustle pad in place.

Skirt, jacket & blouse c.1900
As women became more active outside the home a more utilitarian outfit was required,
hence the woman's tailored "suit" and easily washable, often ready-made blouse. But
functionality did not equate with comfort: tight corseting was still needed for the "S"
silhouette, long flounced petticoats for the flare of the skirt & the high boned collar remained
in style. The worsted wool skirt has an interesting clipped edging (for cleanliness?) The
faille jacket was worn by a member of the Patch family of Newfane; the blouse by Lillian
Gordon of Williamsville.

Satin evening dress with chiffon sleeves & trim 1910s
With the new straighter silhouette clothes finally become easier to wear. Bodices were no
longer fitted with metal stays and the looser waist and natural shape of the skirt allowed for
less cumbersome underclothes. The lack of layers of petticoats meant the previous open
crotch pantaloons were replaced by closed knee-length drawers or buttoned combinations.
This dress belonged to Miss Plumb of Townshend.