16th Annual Ladies & Gentlemen of the 1860s Conference

[Carolann Schmitt]

We are pleased to announce registration is now open for the 16th Annual Ladies & Gentlemen of the 1860s Conference. The Conference will be held on March 4-7, 2010 in Harrisburg, PA. We have planned a full schedule of presentations and pre-conference workshops/tours of interest to men and women. The Conference also features extensive displays of original garments, a needlework competition and a juried Marketplace. In celebration of our tenth anniversary as sponsors, we are very pleased to announce the addition of a formal ball to our program.

Complete details including registration forms is available on our web site at www.genteelarts.com

We hope you can join us for a great weekend!

[Annette Bethke]

Re: 16th Annual Ladies & Gentlemen of the 1860s Conference

Here is a link to my AAR on the event including a link to photos.

http://txcwcivilian.blogspot.com/2010/03/1860s-conference.html

[MissMia]

Re: 16th Annual Ladies & Gentlemen of the 1860s Conference

Thanks for posting the link, wow I'm sure this is going to be a wonderful event :)

[MrsArmstrong]

Re: 16th Annual Ladies & Gentlemen of the 1860s Conference

Annette,
Thank you that was awesome, enjoyed the paper flowers, they looked beautiful.
Susan Armstrong

[Drygoods]

Re: 16th Annual Ladies & Gentlemen of the 1860s Conference

I think it was very kind of Annette Bethke to share her blog site with all of those lovely photographs of the conference. I wish that I had been there too. One thing I'm curious about, I noticed that participants enjoyed one evening in their wrappers and robes, and the next night was the dinner and ball, however, what about the classes and other activities, do people dress in period style for that as well?

[Virginia Mescher]

Re: 16th Annual Ladies & Gentlemen of the 1860s Conference

I think it was very kind of Annette Bethke to share her blog site with all of those lovely photographs of the conference. I wish that I had been there too. One thing I'm curious about, I noticed that participants enjoyed one evening in their wrappers and robes, and the next night was the dinner and ball, however, what about the classes and other activities, do people dress in period style for that as well?

Workshops began on Thursday morning and Thursday evening was an informal get together where any participant was welcome to wear their wrappers and dressing gowns. It was a great time to meet the other attendees and enjoy period games. Friday was another day of workshops and the conference started Friday evening with two presentations. Saturday morning began a day and a half of presentations. Saturday night was the dinner and ball where the participants were encouraged to wear their best dress. The only other time that period dress was worn was on Saturday, when all the presenters wore the "conference dress or vest." The conference sponsor, Carolann Schmitt, gave each presenter a length of fabric for a dress or vest and they were to make the garment of their choice. The dresses and vests were premiered on Saturday morning and worn all day.

Being a presenter, it is not necessarily comfortable to be in period dress all day and have to sit in modern chairs and watch presentations. Taking pictures of original garments and trying not to jostle anything, fitting in the small spaces between the chairs with squished hoops is very difficult. Think of how difficult it would be in a room with nearly 300 women dressed in period clothing. The times that I don't present, packing is a great deal easier - just clothing for Thurs. and Sat. night.

[Virginia Mescher]

Re: 16th Annual Ladies & Gentlemen of the 1860s Conference

I think it was very kind of Annette Bethke to share her blog site with all of those lovely photographs of the conference. I wish that I had been there too. One thing I'm curious about, I noticed that participants enjoyed one evening in their wrappers and robes, and the next night was the dinner and ball, however, what about the classes and other activities, do people dress in period style for that as well?

Workshops began on Thursday morning and Thursday evening was an informal get together where any participant was welcome to wear their wrappers and dressing gowns. It was a great time to meet the other attendees and enjoy period games. Friday was another day of workshops and the conference started Friday evening with two presentations. Saturday morning began a day and a half of presentations. Saturday night was the dinner and ball where the participants were encouraged to wear their best dress. The only other time that period dress was worn was on Saturday, when all the presenters wore the "conference dress or vest." The conference sponsor, Carolann Schmitt, gave each presenter a length of fabric for a dress or vest and they were to make the garment of their choice. The dresses and vests were premiered on Saturday morning and worn all day.

Being a presenter, it is not necessarily comfortable to be in period dress all day and have to sit in modern chairs and watch presentations. Taking pictures of original garments and trying not to jostle anything, fitting in the small spaces between the chairs with squished hoops is very difficult. Think of how difficult it would be in a room with nearly 300 women dressed in period clothing. The times that I don't present, packing is a great deal easier - just clothing for Thurs. and Sat. night.