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RARE 18th Century Clothing 1 Day Only Exhibit July 25

CAMPTON HILLS, IL -- On Saturday July 25, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Donna Finegan will exhibit her private collection of 18th century clothing and appropriate accessories at Garfield Farm Museum. Some of the wonderful examples on display will be two women's open robes, a man's matching frock coat and breeches, various waistcoats, a child's open robe, numerous stomachers and stays, caps and misc. sundries.

Finegan has been an early clothing collector for over 15 years and has amassed a remarkable collection. One would have to travel to a New England museum to view a comparable exhibit. The rarity of these items and her determination to preserve these wonderful textiles are a testament to Finegan's passion for history. That is why she is honored to partner with Garfield Farm Museum because of its foundersí dedication to the preservation of this 1840s living history museum. In addition to being a collector, she is the owner of Donna Finegan Antiques (www.donnafineganantiques.com) and a member of the Chicago Suburban Antique Dealers Association. The CSADA presents two outstanding antique shows in October and March at the new exhibit building at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles, IL. Finegan is a member of the Costumed Society of America and resides with her husband in Palatine, Illinois.

Admission to the exhibit is $8.00 and Ms. Finegan, museum volunteers, and staff will be on hand interpreting the collection and Garfield Farm Museum. The importance of this one day only exhibit helps frame the world that preceded the Garfield Familyís coming to Illinois. The parents of Timothy and Harriet Frost Garfield would have recognized these 1700s clothing styles when the amount of cloth in oneís clothing reflected oneís wealth. All this sheds light on the mindset that would have influenced the sons and daughters of the Revolution who would go on to pioneer and settle the Midwest. For Garfield Farm Museum, the importance of seeing original pieces of clothing and textiles deepens the understanding of how everyday clothing styles evolved into what became popular in the 1840s.

For information call 630 584-8485 or e-mail info@garfieldfarm.org. The historically intact 370 acre Garfield Farm Museum is being restored as an 1840s working farm to demonstrate the relevancy of past lessons learned to the challenges of today and the future. Since 1977, volunteers and donors from over 2800 households representing 38 states and 4 countries have worked to preserve the farmland. buildings and prairie that make up this singularly rare site. Garfield Farm Museum is located five miles west of Geneva, IL off Il Rt. 38 on Garfield Road in Campton Hills.


For more information about Garfield Farm send an e-mail message to: info@garfieldfarm.org or call 630/584-8485.