Museums 101: Clothing (Photo Diary)

The Deschutes Historical Museum is located in the historic Reid School in Bend, Oregon. One of the old second-floor classrooms includes a display of clothing.

Shown above is a commercial double needle model Singer sewing machine designed for ornamental stitching on shirt waists, neckties, corners of handkerchiefs, underwear, etc.

Shown above is an 1890s dress with bustle.

According to the Museum display:

“Bustles of various styles were fashionable off and on from the 1790s until the 1890s. this 1890s bustle dress created a curve in the back that was mean to offset the curve of the bust in front. It would have been worn for special occasions or to church on Sunday.”

Shown above is the crown from Bend’s first Water Pageant in 1933.