On Wednesday Grayden and I went to the Virginia Historical Society's exhibit of Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times. I've been a fan of Downton Abbey for years now, and like many of you are very sad that we are now in the final season of this wonderful show!
We parked the car beside one of the lovely homes on the Boulevard and my eyes were immediately drawn to the lovely paracantha espaliered on the side of this home.
The Virginia Historical Society was founded in 1831 in Richmond, Virginia. It serves as a research and teaching center for Virginia History. They have special exhibits that are of interest to the community as well. You can learn more about the Society
Here
The tour schedule for Dressing Downton Changing Fashion for Changing Times can be found
Here. I know some of you have already viewed the Downton Abbey dressings at other venues in the past. If this tour comes near you, I think you will find it to be quite interesting and particularly if you are a fan of Downton Abbey.
Walking into the building there is a quote on the side of the wall.
So come join us as we step into another world at another time.
 |
| Robert, Cora, and Violet |
The Downton Abbey downstairs bells were there to ring...but Anna never came!
We were reminded we could ring the bells and get as close as we wanted to view the costumes, but please don't touch! What do you think Violet would say to that?
In Season One, 1913-1914, Lady Mary wore the riding habit and hat when she first met Matthew at the Crawley House.
 |
| Lady Mary's evening gown and Matthew's tuxedo |
The downstairs dress was featured as well.
The footmen were chosen for their good looks and looked fine in their uniforms.
The head housekeeper's
dress was the fanciest and showed in the detail of the uniform. The importance of her position also had her carry the keys to the home at all times. Even if the woman was unmarried she was referred to as Mrs.
 |
| Mrs. Hughes' Dress |
 |
| Lady Mary's gown with Anna |
 |
| Lady Mary being dressed by Anna |
 |
| Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley |
 |
| Robert and Cora Grantham |
 |
| Lady Mary |
 |
| Lady Sybil's nurses uniform and Lady Edith's biking suit |
 |
| Lady Edith's Dress |
And now my favorite couple...Sybil and Tom!
 |
| Tom's chauffeur uniform |
 |
| Lady Sybil |
 |
| Lady Sybil's Maternity Gown |
 |
| Lady Mary |
 |
| Cora - Countess of Grantham |
 |
| Cora's gown for poor Edith's wedding |
 |
| Virginia Woolf's Gown |
 |
| Lady Rose |
 |
| Martha Levinson -Shirley MacLaine was born in Richmond VA |
This exhibit was quite enjoyable to see in person. The workmanship and quality of the textiles was extraordinary! The bead work and embroidery was so lovely.
Now I do hope that Julian Fellowes is working on another series! I hear that there is something in the wings. Let's enjoy the last season to the fullest! Maybe everyone will be happy in the end. Oh I do love a happy ending! ♥
Oh lovely garments all! The costuming department did an outstanding job!
ReplyDeleteHave you heard rumors of a Downton Abbey movie? That would be delightful...
Thank you for all the beautiful photos and the music!
Vee, I had not heard those rumors, but I did look that up and I sure hope it comes to fruition! Julian Fellowes sure knows how to spin a tale. A movie would be wonderful. ♥
DeletePerfect time to go to the exhibit! I'm determined this season to write down all the pithy statements made by Violet.
ReplyDeleteDotsie, she has the best sayings as well as Isobel Crawley comebacks to her! We had to go this week as the exhibit closes this weekend.♥
DeleteOh it would have been easier for me to go to Richmond, than Chicago to see this. It is supposed to be in Chicago sometime until the 24th of February. Bad time to go anywhere around here!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the pictures. I love looking at old dresses, as I sew.
Margot, I do hope you will get to this exhibit. Since you sew you will appreciate the detail involved in this clothing. It is amazing! ♥
DeleteThanks for sharing this, Martha Ellen. I'm a fan of Downton as well. Maggie Smith rules!
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Amalia, Maggie Smith is just wonderful! I so enjoy her spirit and spunk! xo ♥
DeleteI haven't watched the series for several years but decided to give it another try this past Sunday and enjoyed it--so I'll continue on watching. We saw this exhibit last year at Winterthur, but yours seems a little different. I don't remember some of those quotes. I also love the Patrick Henry quote. I will have to find a place to use it, because it rings so true for me. I wish that society, as it matures in equality and rights issues, would not give up its code of manners and more formal dress in the process! I was thinking, if I had a "fancy" uniform to wear when I cleaned I might have a better attitude about it! ☺︎
ReplyDeleteCathy, I think you would enjoy the previous episodes if you so desire. This exhibit was different than the one you shared last year. I looked again at yours, before I wrote mine. As far as a fancy uniform... for me, that would be one more thing to have to do! Perhaps if it were our only jobs we would have a better attitude!
DeleteThe Patrick Henry quote struck a cord in me as well! Will we ever learn? ♥
I am sure that it was a thrill to see this exhibit!! Oh, we are going to miss winter evenings with the Crawley household. You have given me hope that there will be another series to love.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, Julian Fellowes sure knows how to intrigue his audience. Hopefully there will be another to love! ♥
DeleteWhat a grand exhibit, Martha Ellen. Can you believe I've never seen Downton Abbey before? Don't know why, as I love this era, the clothes, the elegance, and everything about it. Your post has made me want to see it for sure. That red dress is stunning, and I like Virginia Woolf's gown also. I think the girls would love to browse through this exhibit, as we all love fashion. Thanks for sharing, Martha Ellen, it was very interesting.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend.
~Sheri
Sheri, you can probably watch the past episodes on Youtube. It is an amazingly good show! You and your girls should try to take a trip to Anaheim in February of 2017 as I see this exhibit goes there then. Enjoy your weekend as well! ♥
DeleteThree of us did this as a Girls' Day last Wednesday. I've never seen the show, but I did enjoy the exhibit. That, and a hearty lunch at Buz and Ned's Barbeque always makes for a good day.
ReplyDeleteWe were there on this past Wednesday...We were in the afternoon, Connie. I've never been to Buz and Ned's, but I've heard our son (who lives in Richmond) speak of it. ♥
DeleteThis is fabulous! I hope the exhibit comes to Boston. I remember some of these outfits vividly! Probably because I would love to wear them. Thanks for sharing the tour! ♥
ReplyDeleteHi Danielle, it was so much fun seeing these outfits in person! I looked at the schedule and I'm afraid it's not coming to Boston. I listed the link for the schedule above. Being a Downton fan I knew I had to go to see this exhibit! Thank you for stopping by! ♥
DeleteWOW! I wish the exhibit would come to New Orleans. I love Downton Abbey!
ReplyDeleteYou would love this exhibit since you love Downton Abbey, Ron! The attention to detail is extraordinary! Thank you for stopping by and commenting! ♥
DeleteMartha Dearest,
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed all the images here (the next best thing to a real visit)!
It is such a joy to come here and see what you have shared!! :-)
I shared this post with my Face Book friends I hope you don't mind!!
(many are our blogging friends);-)
Sending Love and warmth XX OO Linnie
Dearest Linnie, the exhibit was just beautiful! The attention to detail was quite impressive. I think when I watch Downton Abbey I see the beautiful clothing, but to see it up close and personal was special. Thank you for sharing...of course I don't mind. I hope your new year is filled with JOY! XOXO ♥
DeleteOh my oh my oh my..this is just heaven to me! I adore the fashion and times of Downton Abbey....I think so many of us do! I so hope the tour comes to Dallas! Thank you Martha Ellen for letting us be a part of such a glorious day!
ReplyDeleteBetsy, you would love seeing the fashion up close and personal. I checked the schedule and I'm sorry I don't see Dallas on their agenda. Thank you so much for stopping by today! ♥
DeleteI would dress in Edwardian clothing, in a minute. The clothing of the past was a work of art, truly marvelous frocks and topcoats and vests and shoes. A wonderful exhibit, I would love to see it in person. It is very odd that I only watched the first series of D.A.. I think I am waiting to watch it marathon style during a long winters week.
ReplyDeleteYou would be lovely in any of these gorgeous gowns, Jeri. The fabric that was used was so rich as well as the embellishments. It would be great to see the whole series marathon style. ♥
DeleteOh my goodness, what a delight it must have been to see that in person! I know that last fall the same exhibition came to Wisconsin, but was several hours away from where we live. I would have loved to see it. I have enjoyed the series and will miss it when it's over. It's really my only 'appointment TV.' Thanks for sharing this with us!
ReplyDeleteIt's my only 'appointment tv' as well, Judy! It was wonderful seeing and remembering the beautiful clothing from DA. I'm going to miss it! Stay warm and cozy today! ♥
DeleteHi Martha! Oh, how wonderful! I would have loved to have seen this! Don't you just love their costumes? The clothes are just so beautiful. Thank you for sharing this and the visit.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Shelia, it was so lovely viewing these beautiful dressings. Since you love to sew you would have really appreciated the attention to detail. Take care of yourself! ♥
DeleteHappy New Year, dear Martha Ellen! How wonderful that you were able to see this lovely exhibit in person! I love Downton Abbey! Thank you so much for sharing all the photos of the gorgeous gowns and costumes with us. I love it ALL! xoxo
ReplyDeleteIt was so beautiful, Rosinda. Happy New Year to you as well! xoxo ♥
Delete