Ladies of Lawrence: A Century of Fashion

The Lawrence County Historical Society proudly presents their newest exhibit, Ladies of Lawrence: A Century of Fashion, opening October 18, 2025, 1-4 pm at the History Center on the Square Lawrenceville Illinois. 

The exhibit showcases 30 dresses from the 1850s-1950s as well as hats, accessories, and lingerie all worn by local women. The fashions march through the decades as visitors see a dress worn by Martha Lewis when she was married in 1855, a dress from the late 1900’s worn by Lucinda Porter, who along with her husband donated the courthouse clock, a collection of  dresses from the 1910’s, exquisite beaded dresses worn by Elizabeth Casey Evans, a woman of color during the “roaring twenties’, and a 1940’s dress worn by Wanda Swope to her LTHS senior banquet.  The line-up ends with a WWII army nurse’s uniform worn by Madge Angle of Klondike. Interspersed among the dresses are shoes and hats, gloves and handkerchiefs, and a room featuring only vintage lingerie. 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Chamber of Commerce will occur on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 October 18, 2025. Other exhibits featuring Lawrence County businesses, high school sports, and artifacts showing the importance of music and religion in the county will also be on display.

 There will be NO October monthly meeting of the Historical Society so all members as well as guests are encouraged to attend the ribbon cutting.  The public is cordially invited to tour the exhibit from 1-4.  There is no admission fee but a free will donation to purchase archival boxes for these fragile garments would be appreciated.