Curiosity Corner
Unmentionables…
By Volunteer Jan
Here I am, in the collections department, re-organizing, inspecting and wrapping textile artifacts in fresh tissue.
It appears that each box I open will have several pairs of bloomers in them. We have so many pairs, big ones, small ones, enormous ones. Some are in fine delicate cotton and others are so heavy duty they must surely have been so uncomfortable. These bloomers are also in various conditions too, which I need not expand on.
I think that, should I place these bloomers end to end, starting at the administration building at Pickering Museum Village they would stretch down the pathway, across Duffins Creek and all the way to the steam barn. Wouldn’t that surprise the guys working there!
Occasionally I come across a special pair. This pair may have rows of beautiful lace, or tiny pearly buttons and be in near perfect condition. These get shown around the collections department for all to see.
I also re-discovered two corsets. Identical looking and possibly never worn. The elastic garters are still intact and there appears to be no rust on the metal parts, they are a pretty pale peach fabric. They are far too pretty to hide away. I need to find a willing model to put them on.
I am 22 boxes down and about 15 more to go. Each box is a treasure trove. I wonder how many more unmentionables I shall discover?
