Main Event: Fashion show brings women's history to life

The clothes of 150 years ago were on display for a second year in a Historic Fashion Show,put on by the History Center of Olmsted County.

The event, March 15 in the Kahler Apache Ballroom, drew an audience of about 120 people. It raised $14,508 for history center programs.

But the event, said history center Director Lisa Baldus, is "more than a fundraiser, it's been an educational experience for Rochester." This was the second year of the fashion show. It corresponds with an exhibit at the history center, 1195 West Circle Drive, Rochester.

"What we're trying to show here is kind of a fun, educational experience," Baldus said. "This is getting people in and they're finding out what we're all about."

Among attendees was Marilyn Burbank,of Rochester, co-founder of the Rochester Genealogical Society.

"I think it's exciting to see how people used to dress," she said. "And I'm glad they don't dress like that anymore."

Sally Enders,of Rochester, is a member of the history center's board of directors. "It was a huge success" last year, she said. "It was living history."

Enders invited friends to this year's event, including Cheryl Lavin-Meyer, Kendall Carstensand Karen Pathoulas.

Minnesota Rep. Nels Piersonhad 11-year-old daughter Sonjain the show. "I think it's going to be interesting to see her in an old fashioned outfit like that," he said.

Pierson's wife Nicoleand son Nels, age 9, also attended. Young Nels enjoyed trying the decadent desserts.

"I like the cheesecake with chocolate chips," he said.

Susanna Bordelon,of Mantorville, brought a professional's eye to the proceedings. She's a professional seamstress and owner of the business Sewing Susanna.

"I really do like historical costuming, coming from Mantorville," she said.

Her mother Marcie Bordelonand sister Bridgetattended with her.

The event was "an opportunity for family time, enjoying some tea," Marcie Bordelon said.

Sharon Oliver,of Rochester, attended as the guest of Rosie Seegmiller,of Rochester. They were seated at a table reserved for members of the American Sewing Guild.

"I've been seweing since 4H days with Sharon," Seegmiller said. "Ever since I could reach the treadles of Grandma's sewing machine."

Carolyn Barsness, of Rochester, is another sewing guild member. She is interested in Civil War-era dress, though "I haven't made myself a (Civil War period) dress yet, but I plan on it."

Costumes for a second year were designed and presented by Joy Melcher,whose business, CivilWarLady.com, specializes in costumes of the period.

"We're going from Jane Austen all the way to 'Downton Abbey,'" she said.

The March date of the event is significant, said Melcher.

"Supporting Women's History Month sends a message to our daughters and granddaughters that what we do is important, too," she said.

Nineteen women modeled the historic fashions. Among them was Rochester Community and Technical College President Leslie McClellon.

"I love the color — green is one of my favorites," McClellon said. "It's fun. She (Melcher) is going to do another show. I thought I might sign up for that, too."

Next year's Historic Fashion Show has been envisioned as covering a slightly more recent period, Baldus said, near the turn of the 20th century when women began showing up in the workplace. Models will depict specific historic figures, including Edith Mayo, a nurse in the late 1800s, and the fashions will more resemble the comparatively practical clothing styles of today.

"You couldn't have these kinds of (Civil War era) dresses and go to work," Baldus said.

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Up next

On April 14, we'll feature the fifth annual Robin Run, a fundraiser for the Fitch-Dickman Foundation.

1/12: "I'm a seamstress so I'm here to look at the historical costumes," says Susanna Bordelon, of Mantorville, right, who attends the event with her sister, Bridget Bordelon, of Rochester, left, and Bridget's mom, Marcie Bordelon, of Kasson.

2/12: "It's a lot of prep that goes into today," says Jenna Bowman, of Rochester, left, who modeled March 15. Teresa McCormack, of Rochester, also participated. Bowman said the skirt of her dress weighed about 7 to 9 pounds.

3/12: From left, Melissa Brinkman, of Rochester; Heather Holmes, of Rochester; and Julie Domaille, of Rochester, model costumes from 1870, 1860 and 1890, respectively. "My poor husband. He's one of four men in attendance," laughed Domaille.

4/12: Ione Kloempken, of Kasson, center, and her daughter, Heidi Kloempken, of St. Paul, right, have their picture taken with Civil War reenactor Lois Chapman, of Hastings.

5/12: Chelsea Dalton and her mother, Barb Dalton, traveled from the La Crosse region to see their sister and daughter model in the Historic Fashion Show.

6/12: High school classmates Mary Danielson-Gates, of Kenyon, left, and Dianne Wright, of Wanamingo, attend the event, which was presented by the History Center of Olmsted County.

7/12: "Show this to my cardiologist," jokes Janet Garr, of Rochester, left, who enjoys a variety of decadent desserts with Holly Andries, of Rochester. "They're beautiful. And they took all the calories out, too," said Andries.

8/12: Meredith Keefe, of Chatfield, left, has tea and dessert in celebration of her mom's birthday. Linda Glaser is from the Twin Cities.

9/12: "I have the most unique hair," says Shannon Knoepke, of Rochester, left, who noted her two-tier bun took 45 minutes to assemble. Leslie McClellon, of Rochester, is also pictured at right.

10/12: Sonja Pierson, of Rochester, preps her 1860s costume before modeling her 1860s costume in the Historic Fashion Show Sunday, March 15 at Kahler Apache. Pierson is a 6th-grader at St. John the Evangelist and enjoys running and golf.

11/12: Sisters Virginia Ranweiler, of Rochester, left, and Mary Gagnon, of Mason City, Iowa, enjoyed the Historic Fashion Show so much last year that they decided to attend again this year.

12/12: Maureen Plitzuweit, of Eyota, left, and Marsha Woolums, of Rochester, browse silent auction gift baskets during the second annual event.