“The Art of Elegance: An 18th-Century Lady Prepares for a Twelfth Night Ball”

Name: “The Art of Elegance: An 18th-Century Lady Prepares for a Twelfth Night Ball”
Start: 2025-01-25T12:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-01-25T13:30:00-05:00
Location: 25 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA, United States, Massachusetts 02452

Schedule

Sat Jan 25 2025 at 12:00 pm to 01:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

25 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA, United States, Massachusetts 02452 | Waltham, MA

Join us at the Waltham Museum on January 25th at noon as We continue our Saturday Social Series
Step into the glittering world of 18th-century high society! A formal party in the 18th century was more than just an evening soiree for women of means. A good part of the day was spent preparing, because one could not be seen by their peers to be anything less than spectacular. Join Michele Gabrielson as we dress for The Twelfth Night Ball celebration marking the end of the Christmas Season!
In this lecture, we’ll follow the transformation of an elegant lady from morning to midnight, as she readies herself for one of the most anticipated social events of the season. This lecture will not only examine the complex process of dressing for such a festive occasion but also delve into the social expectations and cultural context that made the Twelfth Night ball a moment of both revelry and strategic social performance. Explore how a lady’s appearance and behavior were carefully curated to reflect both her social standing and the festive spirit of the season.
Michele Gabrielson is a local history teacher and historic interpreter of the 18th century. She specializes in colonial women printers, 18th century chocolate makers, and revolutionary playwright and poet Mercy Otis Warren. Michele additionally serves on several historical committees dedicated to helping preserve the history of colonial America, is a member of the Authenticity Standards Committee for Minuteman National Historic Park, and is the coordinator for the Battle Road Guides for the annual reenactment of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. She was recently awarded a 2024 Rising Star Award for Public History by the Massachusetts History Alliance for her programming titled, “The Revolutionary Classroom,” and named a finalist for the 2024 Massachusetts History Teacher of the Year.
Our free event will take place on Saturday, January 25, 2025 12-1:30pm at 25 Lexington St. Waltham. Seats are limited, so signup by calling 781-893-9020 or emailing [email protected] with name, phone# & email, and number of participants. Parking available in the Public Parking Garage directly across from the Waltham Museum.