Fashion and Femininity Opening Reception

June 2, 2023 | 5-7pm | Shaker Historical Society | FREE

 For thousands of years, our outfits have represented our wealth, status, and power. For centuries, our fashion has been a representation of who we are. Through our clothes, we can tell stories about our lives, our values and the way the world affects us. 

The suffragists of the Edwardian Era (1890-1920) are now known as well dressed, upstanding members of society, and that was in no way unintentional. By taking feminine ideals of the time, such as the Gibson Girl, and associating them with a new kind of woman, the suffragists brought their ideas to life. Through fabric and thread, an entirely new pathway has been paved for the modern woman.

Fashion and Femininity: The Rise of Women’s Power at the Turn of the Century opens Friday, June 2 from 5-7pm and will be on view through August 27. Join the Shaker Historical Society and Shaker Heights High School Senior Project student Elliot Rendall as we explore the fashion of the turn of the nineteenth century woman—and the politics behind her choices.

Members Only Tour: ICA Art Conservation Lab

June 5, 2023 | 12-1pm | ICA Art Conservation | FREE FOR MEMBERS

We are excited to invite Shaker Historical Society members for our first member-exclusive event of 2023! Join or renew your membership today to join us on Monday, June 5 from 12-1pm for a tour of the ICA Conservation Lab. SHS Members will be guided by ICA staff and get a behind-the-scenes view of how historical objects and art are cleaned and preserved. This event is free and exclusive to SHS members*. Space is limited to the first 18 registrants, so purchase a membership today! A link to register for the tour will be sent after your purchase or renewal is processed.

*Current SHS members can email education@shakerhistory.org for the registration link.

ICA Art Conservation is located on the second floor of The Pivot Center for Art, Dance and Expression at 2937 W. 25th St., Cleveland, OH 44113.

Accessibility Notice: There is an elevator to reach the lab on the second floor of the building, but the tour involves walking and standing for the duration of the tour.

Caring for Your Treasures

June 8, 2023 | 6:30-8pm | Shaker Historical Society | FREE, Advanced Registration Required at bit.ly/shs_treasures

Shaker Historical Society is excited to welcome ICA Art Conservation educators for a presentation and conversation on how people can best care for their historic treasures and heirlooms. After a 40-minute presentation, the group will discuss their personal treasures.

Attendees are encouraged to bring an item of personal interest to share the story of the object and learn about specific care and presentation of the item. If you bring an item, please limit it to one item per attendee and ensure the item is something you are able to transport and bring into the museum without staff assistance. You also may bring photos of a valuable or oversized item that you are unable to transport.

This event is free and open to all, but registration is required due to capacity limitations.

The event will be held at Shaker Historical Society, 16740 South Park Boulevard. Limited parking is available in the lot behind the museum with overflow parking along South Park Boulevard. Please contact education@shakerhistory.org or call 216-921-1201 with questions or to request any accommodations. 

Fashion and Femininity — June 2-August 27, 2023

 For thousands of years, our outfits have represented our wealth, status, and power. For centuries, our fashion has been a representation of who we are. Through our clothes, we can tell stories about our lives, our values and the way the world affects us. 

The suffragists of the Edwardian Era (1890-1920) are now known as well dressed, upstanding members of society, and that was in no way unintentional. By taking feminine ideals of the time, such as the Gibson Girl, and associating them with a new kind of woman, the suffragists brought their ideas to life. Through fabric and thread, an entirely new pathway has been paved for the modern woman.

Join the Shaker Historical Society and Shaker Heights High School Senior Project student Elliot Rendall as we explore the fashion of the turn of the nineteenth century woman—and the politics behind her choices.