The popular PBS series Downton Abbey provides the backdrop for this year's Historic Clothing Collection. The series' first season began with the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 and its current season ended with the year 1923. Following this timeline, the exhibit displays beautiful examples of women's fashions during this time period.

The clothing collection, displayed on the second and third floor of the Mansion, includes a total of 18 items.  Twelve are women's fashions, three are men's and three are children's outfits.  For more information on the exhibit prepared by Teresa Knutson and Sarah Safford, click here.  

The points of these hatpins often protruded beyond the hat posing a safety hazard to those who unwittingly got too close.   As a result of numerous injuries, laws were passed in big cities, like Chicago, banning the wearing of hatpins in public  areas if the pin extended  beyond ½" of the hat's crown.

Protests were organized by women who argued that the hatpin served as both their escort and chaperone when traveling alone. The postcard below illustrates that "point."

The Mansion's Gift Shop has a nice assortment of period  hatpins for sale.  Reproduction hatpins are also available.