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We Went Behind The Scenes at Emily Reynolds Historic Costume Collection

Kim Stenehjem

Fargo Moorhead Quilter Susan Curtis graciously hosted our tour groups behind the scenes at the Emily Reynolds Historic Costume Collection. Susan is the collections manager for this treasure house which was started with faculty member Emily P. Reynolds, a member of the textiles and clothing faculty from 1948 to 1981, and department chair from 1966 to 1981. The original purpose was to provide historic clothing examples for students studying historic dress. The first items were gifts from long-time residents of Fargo and from Miss Reynolds’ students and their families.

Fast forward to today and the collection includes clothes from every period of Red River Valley history from early settlement until today. When asked if there was one piece she would wish for, Susan remarked “A zoot suit. They were not really worn in the area.” Other than that, this is a remarkably thorough collection of clothing worn in our region.

Who knows what treasures await?
The collection is stored in period order
Early summer dress
The collection also includes mens and children’s clothes
Victorian women’s dresses were very fitted and were typically two piece so they could be mixed and matched.
The day skirt would often be changed out before dinner. Note the train that would drag on the ground
Can you imagine playing tennis is this?
In the 1920s, slim sheath dresses were all the rage.
This 1930s dress was embellished and ruched.
Even everyday dresses could be jazzed up with a pop of colored buttons
Can this be anything else but the 50s section?
A very elegant work suit from a time when women executives were very unusual.
And then there were the 60s!
A wild hairy print
It was unusual for paper dresses to have survived in one piece.
Ski wear of vinyl and faux fur from the 70s.
The collection also includes accessories like shoes of all periods.
Hats of many kinds find their home here.
The netting of bridal veils disintegrated over time but the headpieces are still lovely
A fascinator embellished with crawfish because why not?
This rural themed gown was donated by North Dakota First Lady Kathryn Burgum
This designer lace gown walked the red carpet when Angie Dickinson wore it to the Oscars
Angie DIckinson had the tips of her mink coat dyed to match
Her autograph was embroidered inside the coat.
Fargo Moorhead Quilter Virginia Dambach with one of the children’s dresses she donated to the collection.
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