Stories in Textiles

When sharing the story of someone’s past, documents and photographs are often our first step in collecting details and evidence. 3-D objects and textiles help us further shape the story by providing tangible material. In exhibits, physical items create visual pull that draws in attention and builds curiosity in the story. 

At first glance, this visual pull is often based on the appearance and beauty of an object, with further observation showing more clues to its complexity. How an object is made can give information about its history, while wear and tear patterns can show us how an item was used and how often it was used.

In museum collections, the term “textiles” refers to anything made of cloth or fabric. Our textile collection includes many different types of clothing and upholstery, with a large majority of these items being dresses. While we have a large collection of graduation documents and photographs, graduation related clothing is less common.

Earlier this year, a donation came in of items related to Harriet Hamm and her husband Spencer Harrison. Of note in the collection, were two gowns worn by Harriet - one for her graduation and one worn a year later for her wedding. Both dresses are handmade and of similar material, with similar construction. Alongside historical documents, this confirms that these events in her life were close together and that both dresses were likely made by the same person, possibly someone in her family. Both dresses are in beautiful shape with light wear, which tells us they were worn for only special occasions. 

What particularly caught my eye was the gold satin gown made for Harriet’s graduation. Harriet graduated from Baraboo HIgh School in 1936, where this gold gown would have fit in beautifully with the blue and gold of the school’s colors. As Harriet was a tall woman at 5’10”, she would’ve looked very elegant in the floor length gown. Along with the dress, a photograph was donated of Harriet wearing the gown, smiling broadly at her achievement. 

To further aid in telling Harriet’s story and other graduates from 1936, the Sauk County Historical Society is seeking two 1936 Baraboo High School yearbooks to add to our collection.

If you would like to donate a yearbook please email curator@saukcountyhistory.org or stop by our History Center (900 2nd Ave in Baraboo) during open hours Wednesday through Friday from 12-4.