A Fashionable Era

Civil War Fashion Show Is Nov. 20

November 12, 2011
The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register

Ballgowns and bonnets will abound at the Civil War Fashion Show to be held at the Ohio County Public Library, 52 16th St., Wheeling, from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20.

The event is part of the Civil War sesquicentennial observance and will highlight the fashions, including uniforms, of the period.

Organized by the Friends of Wheeling, the Ohio County Public Library and the Wheeling Civil War 150 Commission, the program will include costumes for men, women and children.

Sponsored by a grant from Wheeling National Heritage Area Corp., this program is evidence of the variety and value of the programs that Ohio County Public Library's program director, Sean Duffy, has presented to the community, organizers said.

For this occasion, the auditorium of the library will be transformed into a dazzling stage setting by P.D. Gregg, set designer for Oglebay Institute's Towngate Theatre, who has donated his time and energy to the project.

Stages will provide some of the costumes, but most were designed and made by the participating models. "Making costumes is very difficult and time-consuming, but well worth the effort," said Kate Quinn, who has made several vests, frock coats and gowns for the show.
Quinn, a Friends of Wheeling member, will narrate the program with tidbits of information about why the fashions were made the way they were and how women coped with the voluminous petticoats, hoops and skirts of the period.

Judi Hendrickson, also , a Friends of Wheeling member, is organizing the many models involved in the show. Detailed descriptions of each outfit will give the audience an insight into the types of materials used during the period.

"We are striving to make this as authentic as possible. I think the audience will be delighted with the show and learn a little something at the same time," Hendrickson remarked.

A reception with light refreshments will be held after the fashion show.

The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Seating is limited. To assure a seat, send an email message to LunchwithBooks@yahoo.com or call the library at 304-232-0244 by Friday, Nov. 18.

AND Next Tuesday at NOON:

Then on November 22 at noon, Lunch With Books continues with author Gary Rider, who will return to discuss his second volume of Marshall County Patriots and Heroes, featuring 140 military profiles and over 80 pictures. It covers the American Revolution to Afghanistan with stories about POW's and KIA's, including more than sixty World War II veterans' stories, as well as eleven family groups -- husbands & wives, fathers & sons and brothers. Mr Rider will also bring journals and diaries that were used in writing some of the stories, and hopes to have some memorabilia from World War II. Copies of Marshall County Patriots and Heroes be for sale at: $25.00 Hardback and $20.00 Softback.

Then on Tuesday Evening at 7 PM, the People's University, Music Appreciation series continues with Dr. Matt Inkster on the importance of youth symphony.