Guide to Pembroke College Clothing, 1900-1970


John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2017

Collection Overview

Title: Pembroke College Clothing
Date range: 1900-1970
Creator: Pembroke College (Brown University).
Abstract: The Pembroke College Clothing collection includes dresses, tops, skirts, and jumpsuits, likely produced by Pembroke College students for sewing lessons or theatrical productions. The clothing was made approximately between the 1920s through 1970 though these dates are only estimated based on garment style.
Language of materials: English
Repository: John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number: AC.1ZP.2017.008

Scope & content

The Pembroke College Clothing collection includes dresses, tops, skirts, and jumpsuits, likely produced by Pembroke College students for sewing lessons or theatrical productions. The clothing was made approximately between the 1920s through 1970 though these dates are only estimated based on garment style. Conditions range from good to poor with primary issues being fraying and tearing.

Access Points

Subject Organizations Subject Topics Document Types Subject Topics

Arrangement

Collection is arranged into one series by garment number.

Biographical/Historical note

For many years, the Pembroke College clothing was stored in the attic of Alumnae Hall unbeknownst to university staff. In 2017, the facilities department brought the clothing to the attention of the Pembroke Center archivist. After that, archives staff gathered and processed the clothing that remained.

Access & Use

Access to the collection: There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials: Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation: Pembroke College Clothing, AC.1ZP.2017.008, Brown University Library.
Contact information: John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Finding aid prepared by Amanda Knox and Mary Murphy on behalf of the Christine Dunlap Farnham Archive, Brown University Library.
Encoding: This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2017-11-15
Descriptive rules: Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)
Sponsor: Curatorial work and processing provided by the Pembroke Center for Teaching and Research on Women on behalf of the Christine Dunlap Farnham Archive, Brown University Library.

Additional Information

Inventory

Box 1, Item 1 Garment 1: Garment is 52 ½ inches long from top opening to bottom hem. Sleeves are approximately 26 inches long from shoulder seem to cuff. The waist is approximately 15 inches (measured flat) and the bottom is 31 inches (measured flat). Garment is made primarily of black fabric with a pink stripe down the middle and green cuffs. In poor condition with tears and fraying hems. Pins are attaching the center pink stripe to the rest of the garment in some places.
 n.d.
Box 1, Item 2 Garment 2: Garment is 30 inches long from top opening to bottom hem. Sleeves are approximately 20 inches long from shoulder seem to cuff. The waist is approximately 19 inches (measured flat) and the bottom is 31 inches (measured flat). Garment is made primarily of a light blue fabric. One sleeve is a dark blue fabric. Garment is in poor condition with stitching coming undone and a 14 inch tear on one side.
 circa 1965
Box 1, Item 3 Garment 3: Garment is 19 ½ inches long from top opening to bottom hem and approximately 19 inches wide. Sleeves are approximately 9 inches long from shoulder seem to cuff. Neck opening and sleeves are cinched with string. Garment has some small tears and fading but is in otherwise good condition. Tag on sleeve reads “white originally and dated Swiss [?] costume blouses.”
 n.d.
Box 1, Item 4 Garment 4: Garment is 20 ½ inches long and 18 ½ inches wide. Sleeves are approximately 21 inches long from shoulder seem to cuff. Fabric has white polka dots. Hem is fraying but is in otherwise good condition.
 n.d.
Box 1, Item 5 Garment 5: Garment is 42 inches long from shoulder seem to hem. Waist is 14 inches (measured flat) and bottom hem is 30 inches (measured flat). Garment top is made of orange material and bottom is made of yellow material. A ¾ inch black band goes around the garment. Except for some tears and pulled stitching, garment is in good condition.
 circa 1950
Box 1, Item 6 Garment 6: Garment is 49 inches long from top of collar to bottom hem. Sleeves are approximately 7 inches long. Waist is 12 inches (measured flat) and bottom is 39 inches (measured flat). Garment is made primarily of pink fabric with white collar and cuffs. Two pins remain near the buttons. Garment is in good condition.
 circa 1955
Box 1, Item 7 Garment 7: Garment is 30 inches long. Top opening is 14 inches (measured flat) and the bottom opening is 32 ½ inches (measured flat). Garment has both snaps and hook and eye closures. Fabric is textured with a red, yellow, green, and blue square pattern. Garment is in good condition.
 circa 1950
Box 1, Item 8 Garment 8: Garment is 30 inches long. Top opening is 14 inches (measured flat) and the bottom opening is 32 ½ inches (measured flat). Garment has both snaps and hook and eye closures. Fabric is textured with a red, yellow, green, and blue square pattern. Garment is in good condition.
 circa 1950
Box 2, Item 1 Garment 9: Garment is 46 inches long from top of collar to bottom hem and is 27 inches wide. Neck accessory is 4 ½ inches long and attached with pins. Garment is made of a golden fabric and is in good condition.
 n.d.
Box 2, Item 2 Garment 10: Garment is 43 ½ inches long from top of collar to bottom hem and is 24 inches wide. Sleeves are approximately 8 inches long. Neck accessory is 4 ½ inches long. Garment is made of a golden fabric and is in good condition.
 n.d.
Box 2, Item 3 Garment 11: Garment is 51 inches long from top of collar to bottom hem. Sleeves are 8 ½ inches long. Waist is 14 inches (measured flat) and bottom is 49 inches (measured flat). Garment is made of green fabric. Stitching thread is in various colors. Side has hood and eye closures. Garment is in good condition.
 circa 1955
Box 2, Item 4 Garment 12: Garment is 44 inches long from top shoulder strap to bottom hem. Waist is 16 ½ inches (measured flat) and bottom is 30 inches (measured flat). Garment is made primarily of green fabric with a red, purple, and green patterned fabric for layers and shoulder detail. Zipper closure on back. Except for fraying hem, garment is in good condition.
 circa 1925
Box 2, Item 5 Garment 13: Garment is 42 inches long from top shoulder to bottom. Sleeves are approximately 8 inches long. Waist is 15 inches (measured flat) and bottom is 22 inches (measured flat). Zipper closure on back. Bottom is pleated. Garment is made of a black fabric with red felt flower design and bow at waist. Two tags are inside. First, at neck, reads “Noelle France 11, Rue Vignon, Paris 8˚. Made in France. 14.” Second, at side, reads “Porter’s Madison Ave. at 62nd St.”
 circa 1955
Box 3, Item 1 Garment 14: Garment is 43 inches long. Waist is 13 inches (measured flat) and bottom is 29 ½ inches (measured flat). Zipper closure at back. Garment is made of yellow-green fabric. Garment is in poor condition with a 12 inch tear down the front center and neck and arm holes and bottom hem fraying.
 circa 1960
Box 3, Item 2 Garment 15: Garment is 41 inches long from top back to bottom hem. Sleeves are 10 inches long. Waist is 14 inches (measured flat) and bottom is 32 inches (measured flat). Garment is made of blue check fabric. Except for fraying hem, garment is in good condition.
 n.d.
Box 3, Item 3 Garment 16: Garment is 31 ½ inches long from top shoulder to bottom hem. Sleeves are 21 inches long. Waist is 14 inches (measured flat) and bottom is 28 inches (measured flat). Garment is made primarily of black fabric with green fabric around the neck. Stitching thread is in various colors. Paper pinned to neck area reads “Hope Ros.” Garment has several tears and is in poor condition.
 circa 1965
Box 3, Item 4 Garment 17: Garment is 51 ½ inches long from top shoulder to bottom hem. Sleeves are 21 inches long. Leg openings are 20 inches long and 13 inches wide (measured flat). Waist is 19 inches measured flat. Garment is made of a blue check fabric with string closure around the neck and hook and eye closures at back. Except for some tears, garment is in good condition.
 n.d.
Box 3, Item 5 Garment 18: Garment is 58 inches long. Sleeves are 8 inches long. Waist is 16 inches (measured flat) and bottom is 57 inches (measured flat). Garment is made primarily of merlot colored fabric with orange fabric around the waist and neck. Garment has large tear around waist, is safety pinned in several spots, and is in poor condition.
Contents Note: The Pembroke College Clothing collection includes dresses, tops, skirts, and jumpsuits, likely produced by Pembroke College students for sewing lessons or theatrical productions. The clothing was made approximately between the 1920s through 1970 though these dates are only estimated based on garment style. Conditions range from good to poor with primary issues being fraying and tearing.

Access restrictions:

There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.



Subjects:
Costume design
Home economics--Study and teaching
Theatre
Women college students--United States
Women's colleges--Rhode Island
Women--Education

Names:
Brown University--Alumni and alumnae.


Names:
Christine Dunlap Farnham Archive.
Pembroke College (Brown University)--Alumni and alumnae.


For many years, the Pembroke College clothing was stored in Alumnae Hall unbeknownst to university staff. In 2017, the facilities department brought the clothing to the attention of the Pembroke Center archivist. After that, archives staff gathered and processed the clothing that remained.

 n.d.