Join us for our third Day at Dumbarton! The theme of our virtual April 28-April 30 program is “historic clothing." We are excited to bring this enriching and enthralling program - including lectures, question and answer sessions, a craft workshop, and a yoga wellness event - to Dames around the country and we hope you’ll join us to learn about how clothing expresses our identities as well as how it is cared for and displayed!
We will have 8 wonderful events for you to attend including 6 Educational Sessions and 2 Enrichment Sessions.
Early bird registration begins March 1 at $30 for general admission (all six educational sessions). Starting April 1, general admission will be $45.
The schedule of events is as follows:
Wednesday, April 28th 2021
11:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM ET Tour of Dumbarton House: Whether you've never been to Dumbarton House before or you have visited many times, this tour will welcome you to your National Headquarters and the home of Joseph Nourse, the first Register of the Treasury! Join us to learn about life in 1804 and see how we fit into the national story of the creation of Washington DC!
1:00 PM EST to 2:00 PM ET "Who Wore What When:" DAR Museum Curator of Costume Alden O'Brien will use sketches, paintings, diaries, and other sources to describe the variety of what Americans wore in the young United States (1780-1820), depending on their age, status, race, region, and other factors.
3:00 PM EST to 4:00 PM ET “Spies, Dyes, and Fraternal Ties: Patriotism and Printed Textiles in America, 1775-1825:" the former Associate Curator of Textiles at Winterthur Museum, Deborah Kraak, will speak to the struggle America faced obtaining British textile industry secrets in an effort to become manufacturers of printed cloth instead of just being importers of a commodity that formed a huge percentage of the economy. This talk traces that history from 1775-1825, when domestic production was about patriotism and American independence as well as American economic success.
Thursday, April 29th 2021
11:00 AM EST to 12:00 PM ET Historic Clothing at Dumbarton House: Join Curator Catherine Nuzum and Collections Manager Sammie Hatton for a close-up view of some of the outfits in Dumbarton House's very own collection, including a never-before exhibited suit that originally belonged to Joseph Nourse, the first Register of the Treasury and man who lived at Dumbarton House from 1804-1813.
1:00 PM EST to 2:00 PM ET The Art of Getting Dressed: George Washington University Adjunct Professorial Lecturer of Decorative Arts & Design History Cecilia Gunzburger will trace the development of dressing practices and the decorative objects used by elite and middling alike while preparing for their days, from Louis XIV’s elaborate lever ceremony to dressing tables in Federal period America.
3:00 PM EST to 4:00 PM ET Hat-Making Workshop with Susie Barford: In this short, introductory session Susie, a trained milliner, will demonstrate basic millinery techniques as a means of explaining hat making as an art form, while allowing students to gain the skills necessary to start their own millinery journey. We will make a cocktail hat using the typical fabrics and trimmings seen at Race Day events and see some of Susie's other creations. Participants can join in the making process at home by buying a kit or just sit back and enjoy watching the session! Separate ticket necessary.
Friday, April 30th 2021
10:00 AM EST to 11:00 PM ET Yoga Session: Join yoga instructor Audrey Roxas as she leads a gentle wellness session from the grounds of Dumbarton House. Enjoy the beauty of nature while you take a break from the stress of daily life in a pandemic to move your body. Suitable for all levels of experience. No equipment required, separate ticket is necessary.
2:00 PM EST to 3:00 PM ET Women's Military Uniforms at the National Museum of American History: Join Sheridan Small, Director of Education at Dumbarton House, for an exploration of the women's uniforms the NSCDA donated to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.
*All registrants will recieve an email prior to Virtual Day at Dumbarton with links to each lecture and event.