Wedding Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Alta Harriett Farr
American, 1862 - 1937
Clothing MakerMade by
Alta Harriett Farr
American, 1862 - 1937
DateJune 10, 1885
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched cotton, with mother of pearl buttons
DimensionsBodice (center front length x width across shoulders): 21 x 16in. (53.3 x 40.6cm)
Skirt (center back length): 40in. (101.6cm)
Skirt (waist circumference): 29in. (73.7cm)
Hem (circumference): 99in. (251.5cm)
Skirt (center back length): 40in. (101.6cm)
Skirt (waist circumference): 29in. (73.7cm)
Hem (circumference): 99in. (251.5cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Ethel Rosebrooks Larkin and Mrs. Ruth C. Waterman
DescriptionWoman's wedding dress consisting of a bodice (.1a) and skirt (.1b) of sheer, white book muslin. The bodice has two pleats running down either side of the center front opening, which fastens with sixteen mother of pearl buttons. Six decorative pleats run down the back of the bodice. The neckline is high and round, and is finished with a standing band collar, about one inch high. The sleeves are smooth and tight, and are three-quarter in length. They end in flounces of needlerun net lace. This lace, which is about 3 3/8 inches wide, also trims of the bottom edge of the bodice, making it about hip-length. The bodice is unlined. A strip of self-fabric is stitched around the inside of the waist like a petersham.
The skirt is flat in front and gathered in back. The plain cotton waistband closes at the center back; the closing mechanism was probably originally a hook and eye, but is now missing. Six 1 1/2-inch-wide tucks are taken in the lower half of the skirt. The bottom is trimmed with two rows of self-fabric knife-pleated ruffles. The skirt is unlined.
The skirt is flat in front and gathered in back. The plain cotton waistband closes at the center back; the closing mechanism was probably originally a hook and eye, but is now missing. Six 1 1/2-inch-wide tucks are taken in the lower half of the skirt. The bottom is trimmed with two rows of self-fabric knife-pleated ruffles. The skirt is unlined.
Object number1974.114.1.1a-d
NotesHistorical Note: Alta Harriett Farr (1862-1937) married Edward Biglow (about 1862-1951) in the home of her aunt and uncle, Mr. George L. Rosebrooks and Mrs. Louise Jane Chase Rosebrooks, of Mansfield, Connecticut, on 10 June 1885. They were married by Reverend Nathaniel Beach. The home where they were married is on the site of the present University of Connecticut, at Storrs.Alta Harriett Farr Biglow and Edward Biglow had no children, so Alta Biglow's whole wedding outfit was given to her niece, Mrs. Myron D. Waterman of Norwich, New York. She, in turn, gave it to her niece, Mrs. Ethel Rosebrooks Larkin, of Mansfield, Connecticut. The wedding dress went full circle from 1885 to 1974 back to Mansfield, Connecticut.
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