Online Collections Database

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Historic Costume | Fine and Decorative Arts

Welcome to our Online Collections Database! Below you will find a searchable database showcasing images and information regarding tens of thousands of items in our online collection. Search using search terms, key words, object names, or names of historical figures to locate specific items, or, peruse at random to enjoy the breadth of collections available for view.

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Questions? Contact our Curatorial Department at (585) 294-8240 or email jjohnson@gcv.org. Interested in donating an object to the collections at GCV&M? Click here to learn more. 

Bag, Needlework

Clothing/Dress/Costume

Workbag of white cotton with drawstring channel at upper edge (drawstring itself is missing). Most of body is dotted with regular clusters of three eyelets, but bottom half is embroidered with four large floral motifs, perhaps peonies, that have leafy vines on either side; two motifs have another leafy vine arcing above them. More eyelets are added above flowers, with even more above the motifs that lack the extra vine. Below flowers and vines are a row of aster-like circles, each with a single eyelet at the center. Originally cut as a rectangle and all edges finished with 1/8" hems or, for top edge, 3/16" channel, then folded in half. Hemmed edges were butted and whipped, with the whipping on side seam ending 1/4" before top edge to allow for drawstring. Hand-sewn.

2026.16.006

Genesee Country Village and Museum

Accessory

Needle Craft

Historic Costume

Workbag

Female

Cotton

Cotton

White

circa 1790 - circa 1850

19th Century

Paper Tag

Originally pinned to item

Workbag, for fancywork, / glasses etc. when visiting / Rhoda Lewis Parmalee

5-1/2 in

6-1/8 in

Parmelee, Rhoda Lewis

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