HerStory: Historic Women of the East Side Walking Tours

To mark Women’s History Month, the John Brown House Museum will offer the walking tour “HerStory: Historic Women of the East Side” at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, and Saturday, March 22.  This walking tour, which covers just over a half mile on Providence’s East Side, highlights women’s stories from the 18th century through the present day. From educators, artists, and unsung heroes, this is the story of the women of the East Side. The 90-minute tour departs rain or shine from the John Brown House Museum and concludes at the entrance to the RISD Museum. Tickets are $10 for RIHS members and $15 for non-members. Guests can purchase tickets at rihs.simpletix.com.

Fashion in the Times of Sylvia DeWolf

Ostrander (1841-1925) with Rebecca Kelly

Join the John Brown House Museum on Thursday, March 13, for Fashion in the Times of Sylvia DeWolf Ostrander (1841-1925), a talk by fashion historian Rebecca Kelly. This event is in support of the exhibit, The Girl of My Dreams, Sylvia: A 19th Century Life from artist Stacy Morrison. The talk will begin at 5:30 p.m., when Kelly will discuss the radical changes in fashion that Sylvia would have witnessed during her lifetime. She’ll explore questions such as, “Was Sylvia a follower of fashion? Or did she use clothing as a means of self-expression?” Guests are invited to enjoy a light reception prior to the talk, with doors opening at 4:30pm. They will also be welcome to tour The Girl of My Dreams with artist Stacy Morrison at 4:45pm. Admission is $5 for RIHS members and $10 for nonmembers. Guests can purchase tickets at rihs.simpletix.com.

Kelly is a textile historian, artist, and the Executive Director and Curator of the South County Museum in Narragansett, RI. Her research interests include studying the Gilded Age, particularly the work of under-recognized women fashion designers.