Join us for the first program in our Spring Lecture Series!
Genesee Country Village & Museum is excited to announce the first program in the Spring 2023 Lecture Series: “Opening Our Closets – Fashion & Textile History.” This day of lectures features four exciting presenters, with keynote speaker Susan W. Greene. Access to all four fashion and textile-related lectures is included in the price of admission, along with a prepared boxed lunch of your choice. A continental breakfast of coffee, tea, orange juice, water, and pastries will be present upon arrival.
At the end of the day (from 3 – 4 p.m.), guests will have the opportunity to enjoy staff-led explorations behind the scenes in either the John L. Wehle Gallery vaults which house the Susan Greene Costume Collection, or the Costume Shop located in the Historic Village.
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity!
Opening Speaker
Brandon W. Brooks – Curator of the John L. Wehle Gallery at GCV&M
Connecting Threads: Western New York Historic Fashion Patterning Coalition
Interest in historic fashion, period dramas, and sewing/tailoring has grown dramatically in the past five years. Curator Brandon Brooks hopes to harness this enthusiasm through the creation of a regional historic fashion pattern database. This lecture describes what this database may look like, how to connect museums within this network, and how to increase accessibility to these collections, with the ultimate goal of linking the public with these historic fashion and garment resources.
Second Presenter
Ben Falter – Director of Education, Ontario Country Historical Society
Programming the Future: How a Loom Paved the Way for Modern Computing
In 1804, Joseph Marie Jacquard patented a device called the Jacquard Machine. This machine was attached to looms and could be used to produce complicated patterns more easily in woven products thanks to a chain of punch cards that manipulated the control rods. Little could anyone know at the time that the Jacquard Machine would eventually result in today’s computers. This talk will synthesize the work of scholars and historians with examples from the collections of the Ontario County Historical Society in order to present an engaging window into an often overlooked textile device whose effects are still felt in our every day.
One hour break for lunch
Lunch is included in the cost of your Spring Lecture Series ticket
This exciting day of lectures will be broken up by a delicious lunch hour, complimentary with your ticket purchase! A continental breakfast of coffee, tea, orange juice, water, and pastries will also be present upon arrival, and beverages will be available to guests throughout the day.
Lunch options include:
Turkey Bacon Ranch Sandwich
Veggie Salad
Cranberry Chicken Walnut Sandwich
Chicken Salad Croissant
When purchasing your ticket, you will be prompted to make a lunch selection.
(Please note, each of these options can be made gluten-free or dairy-free when you purchase your ticket and make your lunch selection.)
Third Speaker
Chantal Filson - Costume Shop Supervisor, Genesee Country Village & Museum
A Monstrous Elegance of Women:
Fashion as Weaponry in the 19th Century
Join speaker Chantal Filson for a whirlwind tour of self-defense in the 1800s, reviewing accessories and garments used to repel unwanted attention and enforce personal space. Weapons of mass consumption utilized by both society ladies and criminals alike changed perception, industry, and law through martial arts, diamonds, danger, and more.
Keynote Speaker
Susan W. Greene – Author, Collector, Lecturer, Weaver, Historian
Calico, Homespun, & the “Sturdy Pioneer”
An exploration of the meaning of the terms “calico” and “homespun,” and examining the examples of the three Alfred, NY women who were weavers in the mid-19th century, based on primary resources.
To explore Susan W. Greene’s publications in advance (which highlight collections at GCV&M), consider purchasing Wearable Prints 1760-1860 on Amazon or through the Kent State University Press.
Take a look behind the scenes!
Explore the Gallery Vaults or Costume Shop
At the end of the day (from 3 – 4 p.m.), guests will have the opportunity to enjoy staff-led explorations behind the scenes in either the John L. Wehle Gallery vaults which house the Susan Greene Costume Collection, or the Costume Shop located in the Historic Village.
Ticket Information
General admission: $90
Museum Members: $75
Tickets must be purchased online in advance, as space is limited.
