Our Historic Costume Collection is primarily used to support teaching for the benefit of undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty members. The theme of the collection is 18th – 21st century American clothing with a focus on artifacts from the southeastern region. Most of the pieces in the collection are women’s clothing, with some menswear and children’s dress. In addition to clothing, the collection includes ethnic pieces, flat textiles, accessories, and footwear.
Costumes are used within the classroom as examples of garment design and construction and as reflections of social and cultural aspects of dress from the past. Along with its teaching-related uses, the collection also serves as a resource for students, faculty, scholars, and industry professionals interested in researching historic dress.
Donations of clothing to the collection are accepted on an ongoing basis. However, due to limited space, acquisitions are focused on the following:
- Artifacts of high quality not currently represented in the collection. Reproductions and disassembled garments are not accepted.
- Designer and brand name clothing, footwear, and accessories.
- Preference is given to artifacts that were worn by individuals associated with UNCG and particularly the Women’s College of North Carolina.
If you have something you would like to donate to the CARS Historic Costume Collection, please contact Dr. Nancy Hodges ([email protected]) or (336) 334-5250.
