Children's Clothing - Red, White, and Blue

The Springfield Art and Historical Society has a wonderful collection of children's clothing. Those who attended our vintage fashion show back in October 2011 will certainly agree. The collection consists of infants caps, christening  gowns, and everyday clothing from the mid 19th century up to the 1960s.

Children's clothing on display during "250 Years of Fashion - A Vintage Fashion Show" October, 2011

Each piece of clothing was beautifully constructed in its time with great care, even those made in the 20th century by machine. When viewed, each piece seems absolutely unique. However, there will occasionally be found in other collections very similar pieces. Take for example a little blue and white check gown in the SAHS collection.

Our gown dates approximately to the late 1870s or 1880s. One of kind? Not exactly. Take a look at this selection of children's clothing recently sold by Augusta Auctions. See anything familiar? 

These lovely little dresses date between 1850 and 1875. A close up of the blue and white check can be seen here. The white embroidery on the middle child's dress is very similar to the embroidery on the SAHS blue dress seen in the above picture. Blue and red appear to have been popular colors for children's clothing.

When looking at an original dress, it is often hard to tell if it was worn by a little boy or a little girl. The child in the photo seen below is most likely a little girl as she is shown will a doll. However the shape and style of her clothing is very similar to those pictured above. Up until the early 20th century, boys wore dresses until they were potty trained.

An Award Winning Book

Has anyone read "The Entrepreneurs and the Workers of the Soot: A History of the Foundry in Springfield, Vermont" by Alan and Donna Jean Fusonie? We would love to hear your feedback. 

THE ENTREPRENEURS AND THE

WORKERS OF THE SOOT

A HISTORY OF

THE FOUNDRY

 IN SPRINGFIELD, VERMONT

 By Alan E. Fusonie and Donna Jean Fusonie

          This well researched and documented book provides a picture of the development of the foundry businesses in Springfield, Vermont, and its eventual long-term relationship to the local machine tool industries.

The authors also focus on the untold story of the forgotten Foundry workers in Springfield, Vermont.  There were generations of them, spanning one hundred and fifty years, and they performed some of the dirtiest yet important metal work in the industrial development of the town.  From the early use of water power on the Black River to the significant employment of immigrants during the first half of the twentieth century, the story of the Foundry business is set within the events of the time.  Springfield eventually became the leading industrial town in the state of Vermont with national and international connections.

Copyright © 2013 by Alan E. Fusonie

First Edition, First Printing, July 2013

In November 2013, this book received the "Award of Excellence for Publications" from the League of Local Historical Societies & Museums. The book is now in the process of being nominated for a national book award, "Publications Category - Leadership in History Awards for the American Association for State and Local History."

Copies of the award winning book may be purchased for $29.95 each at Black River Books and the Edgar May Health and Recreation Center in Springfield, Vt and at Misty Valley Books in Chester, Vt., Springfield Library, Vermont Historical Society or direct from Springfield Art and Historical Society c/o Ken Stringham kstringham@vermontel.net. 802-885-5265.