Girl's Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Lucy Bacon
American, 1841 - 1854
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Reverend Leonard Bacon
American, 1802 - 1881
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1851
MediumHand-stitched silk and linen, with brass hooks and eyes
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width across top): 45 1/8 x 22in. (114.6 x 55.9cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Frederick J. Agate
DescriptionAdolescent girl's dress of red, green, blue, and white twill-woven silk plaid. The dress has a high, round neckline and a yoke across the shoulders. The bodice is gathered across the bottom of the yoke in front and ruched across the center front of the waistline, creating a fanned effect. The side front bodice panels are cut on the bias. The short sleeves are very slightly flared and are cut on the bias. The neckline, yoke edge, armscye seams, and waist seam are piped. The full skirt is cartridge-pleated all around the waist. The center back seam extends 21 inches and fastens with brass hooks and eyes. The bodice is lined with plain linen. There is a casing stitched vertically at the center front for boning.
Object number1960.21.1
NotesHistorical Note: According to a letter written by Katherine Wadsworth Bacon Smith, this dress was bought in 1851 in Glasgow, Scotland, by her father, Leonard Bacon (1801-1880), on his return home from a trip to the East. During that trip, Reverend Bacon was taken prisoner while crossing the Kurdish Mountains. He gave the dress to one of his other daughters, Lucy Bacon (1841-1854). Sadly, she died of dysentery three years later, at the age of thirteen. (Hudson 2/21/2003)Subject Terms
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