The Herreshoff Family Unzipped: A Textile Show and Tell

Sail into the Bristol Historical & Preservation Society for a material cultural analysis of the Herreshoff family’s textiles using actual garments worn by the family. The Herreshoff family is well known in Rhode Island for their boat making operations, but most people don’t know much about the family’s personal lives, and especially not their clothing. One might assume that a family as prominent as the Herreshoffs would be wearing the finest fashions–and of course, they did, but maybe not how you would imagine. This family of seamstresses had amazing skills, and the remnants of their re-working and sewing abilities are still evident in the clothing they left behind.

Maria Vazquez of Royal Conservation and Exhibition leads this behind-the-scenes look at a set of textiles recently added to the Bristol Historical & Preservation Society’s collections. Vazquez, a historic textile curator and former BH&PS intern, will explain the history of the objects and the process that she uses to learn about their history, conserve them, and even put outfits back together.

This program will take place on Saturday, November 15 at 10:00 AM at the BHPS headquarters at 48 Court Street. It is open to the public but space is very limited. Tickets cost $25/$20 for BH&PS members. For more information, visit the Bristol Historical & Preservation Society at BHPSri.org or email [email protected] or call 401-253-7223.

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Host or Publisher Bristol Historical & Preservation Society