Battles, Bonnets & the Ball

Last weekend for the annual Civil War Re-enactment & Encampment at the Genesee Country Village & Museum (known simply as the "Mumford" event), I had the chance to do something I never have done before...when I heard that Anna Worden Bauersmith of If I Had My Own Blue Box, a prolific author & period straw milliner extraordinaire, was looking for a shop assistant, I jumped at the opportunity!  

Insurance office turned millinery shop for the Civil War Weekend

The Millinery Shop

Anna Worden Bauersmith is Genesee Country's local celebrity, and beyond all the fame, she's one of the nicest, most talented and well researched people that I know.  For several select events during the museum season, Anna offers something really special and unique to the experience of village visitors and participants alike by interpreting and demonstrating the art of period millinery.  This past weekend, she set up shop in what is usually the insurance office, transforming the space into a well-stocked millinery shop.   

Boxes of fine ribbons and accessories galore lined the mantle and filled the nearby shelf: 

Four tables were set up to display a wide sampling of fashionable bonnets and hats, evening headdresses, and more practical corded sunbonnets and winter hoods:  (Do see her blog post on the event's millinery for specifics, here: Adding New Millinery to My Etsy Shop) 

Special this year were several woven straw examples
& the highly fashionable Mousquetaire hat

There was even a mourning display featuring a woven straw bonnet (left), decorated straw hat (right), quilted hood trimmed in mink (top), various ribbons and pinked, black silk trim samples (bottom):  

All together, the display and the entire shop, discussed in more detail in the Before and After blog post, looked spectacular!  It would be worth attending the event just to see everything and to meet Anna in person.  In fact, this year marked her personal, 20th anniversary of the Civil War event - and I was beyond thrilled to celebrate with her. 

Here's a picture of the before:

From insurance office...
Notice Mr. Stowe busy at work in the back room.

And a view of the after:

...To millinery shop!

Saturday, June 21st

As for the running of the shop, the first day was definitely the warmer of the two in temperature.  Still a pleasant day, the morning and afternoon flew by between sewing and interesting conversations.  There was a steady stream of visitors, though we were never really overwhelmed. 

All three of us at work.
(Photograph courtesy of Judy J.)

One of the greatest perks of assisting in the shop was that it was a favorite stop for many familiar and new friends!  I hadn't seen many of these reenactors since last year's event, and enjoyed meeting others in person for the first time.

Coming in as customers, leaving as friends.

It was also interesting to watch potential customers try on the various hats and bonnets, seeing which styles and colors flattered the wearer best.  There's certainly an art to both the making and wearing of millinery!

Speaking of which, it was so exciting to see one of the straw bonnet forms being finished from the lining to the curtain and ties:

Basting silk and net together for the bonnet bavolet.

I worked off and on a double ruffle cap all weekend...still have to finish whipping the frills and adding any trimmings:

A rare picture of me actually sewing!
(Thanks Judy J.)

Something else that I also really look forward to every Civil War event is the evening dance.  There's nothing like getting all dressed up and having your hair styled by a good friend.  Allison was so kind to assist me this year, and I continue to be amazed by her historical hair styling skills!

Historical hair styling chain.

Obligatory hair photo - thanks Allison!

I joined my friends and the Flint Hill Dance group for some pictures before the ball.  Stephen orchestrated his annual group shot on the Livingston-Backus Porch, taking such care to pose us all so elegantly for a tintype: 

The modern color picture.

The 20-second exposure by the one and only Michael Rhodes!

And, a picture with Allison!  We were half joking that this is proof that we actually know one another as we're usually on opposite ends of the camera...She looked absolutely stunning in that color and fabric! 

(Photograph courtesy of Stephen S.)

After dancing the night away, I retired to the Foster-Tufts House, very happily out of the rain.  It poured all night.  

Sunday, June 22nd

The next morning it was back to the shop for another day of sewing, interpreting and pleasant conversations.  All of the rain the night before made for a comfortable day, and the visitors really responded to the display and engaged with us, which made all of the efforts worthwhile.   

Taking care of business, day two in the millinery shop.
(Photograph by Trudy W., via Facebook)

Much like the day before, many of our friends, both new and familiar, stopped in to say hello and conduct business with the proprietress.  At one point, I had to giggle as life continued as if nothing was amiss while the village battle raged outside! 

Company during the village's afternoon battle.

And that concludes this Civil War weekend report on what was one of the greatest highlights of the 2018 museum season!  I simply cannot thank Anna enough for taking me on as her millinery shop assistant!  'Till the next time...