Examining the history of women’s fashion gives us a unique glimpse into what society thought of women and expected from them at a certain point in time. The White River Valley Museum will delve into the cultural ideals and realities of the female body over the last century with the upcoming exhibit “Yellow Polka Dot Bikinis and Tummy Crunches: A Century of Female Bodies and Swimsuits,” on display May 4 to July 31.
The museum invites anyone who has bathing caps, swimsuits, beach towels and similar items dating from 1910 to 1970 to consider donating them to the museum. Before an item is formally accepted, it will first be compared to any similar artifacts currently in the museum’s collection.
“We’re wrapping up final details for the exhibit and thought it would be fun to have an open call for swimwear-related donations,” said Patricia Cosgrove, museum director. “So often these treasures are sitting in boxes in attics when they could be shared with the public, telling a story in a museum exhibit.”
As an historical institution, the White River Valley Museum is well equipped to properly store and preserve any number of historical fashion items and family heirlooms, Cosgrove said.
Donating historical items broadens the depth and breadth of the museum’s artifact collection and allows the museum to tell historically accurate stories with an interesting twist, such as the “Yellow Polka Dot Bikinis” exhibit.
Swimwear donations may be used in the upcoming exhibit or preserved for use in a future exhibit. If you have an item you think may be of interest, contact Hilary Pittenger at 253-288-7439 or hpittenger@auburnwa.gov.
ABOUT THE WHITE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM
The White River Valley Museum is a partnership with the City of Auburn and combines history and culture to create an exciting and educational experience for visitors. Museum collections focus on Puget Sound history, Northwest Indian culture, Japanese immigration and the Northern Pacific Railway. The White River Valley Museum is the best local history museum in the state according to the 2007 Washington State Visitors Guide.
The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. and is located at 918 H St. SE in Auburn. Regular admission is $2 adults, $1 seniors and children. Admission is free on Wednesdays and the fourth Sunday of the month. Call 253-288-7433 or visit www.wrvmuseum.org for event information.
