About Our Exhibit

           What Women Wore is a clothing exhibit arranged by history graduate student Alexandria Poppendorf, recent APSU graduate Courtney Beard, and faculty member Deanna Carter, all assisted by current graduate student Larissa Dougherty. With this show, the curators strive to inform students and faculty about life for women in the periods between the 1800s to the late 1920s. Specifically, this project is a museum installation of women’s original and replica clothing, accessories, and undergarments in the Harned Mable Larson Gallery. By viewing period garments, exhibit visitors are encouraged to learn more about history, which often seems remote and irrelevant especially to young students. To learn more about the curators, visit Meet the Curators.

The evolution of women’s clothing during the period between the 1820s and 1930s reflect distinct changes in the status of women over time. In order to better appreciate these changes, it is important to understand how historians refer to these different time periods.

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Pre-Victorian Era– The Pre-Victorian Period refers to the period between the 1811 and 1837, which includes the Regency Era. The era ended when Queen Victoria was crowned in England.

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Victorian Era– The Victorian Era is the nickname given to the period during the reign of Queen Victoria, which lasted from 1837 until 1901. The end of this era was signified by the death of Queen Victoria and King Edward VII’s rise to power.

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Edwardian Era– While the Edwardian Era technically refers to the roughly nine years of King Edward’s rule, historians often extend this time period to include the beginning of WWI. This means that the Edwardian Era can  essentially be viewed as the period between 1901 to about 1912.

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Early Modern Era– The Early Modern Era follows the end of King Edward’s Reign. This time period includes the 1920s and 1930s.