THERE was a maroon travelling outfit named Ruby, a valuable soldier’s coat which had likely witnessed conflict in New Guinea, a 1934 crocheted dress and a stunning evening gown worn for Queen Elizabeth's 1954 visit.
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But it was a late 19th century wedding dress, affectionately known as Miss Havisham – complete with original shoes and headwear – which stole the show at a clothing preservation workshop last week in Moruya.
The South East Arts workshop, held at the Mechanics Institute, drew museum representatives from around the region.
They saw practical demonstrations and learned tips on the care, documentation, interpretation and display of dress.
The Powerhouse Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences also introduced the Australian Dress Register – a website celebrating men’s, women’s and children’s dress.
The garments are valued for their rarity, age or design, but most importantly for the history they represent and the stories they tell.
Take Ruby, a riding dress worn by Ruby Newton (nee Ezzy), in 1911.
Moruya and District Historical Society’s Brian Harris began investigating the garment's history about a month ago.
He said Mrs Newton was an accomplished, wealthy horsewoman, which is why the outfit was so fashionable.
“Ruby wore it after her marriage at St John’s Church of England at Millthorpe,” Mr Harris said.
“They held their reception at the Good Templars Hall and she wore it riding to the train after their wedding.
“It had been in the family until it was donated to the Moruya District Historical Society in 1987.”
Mr Harris said he contacted Ruby's grandson through the website ancestry.com.
“There was also a lot of information on Trove,” he said.
“Her family has become involved, sending information and photos.
“The story of Ruby and her life – it’s come alive.”
Less is known about "Miss Havisham", the aged wedding dress on display for as long as anyone can remember at the Moruya and District Historical Society Museum.
Named after the character in the 1861 Charles Dickens' novel Great Expectations, it was worn by either Miss Jane Sturrock in 1850 or by Miss Emma Sturrock in 1882, at her wedding in Cooma.
The dress was photographed at last week’s workshop and will now be stored.
Mr Harris said many of the Society’s workshop participants would now look anew at costumes.
“We’ve got a whole team of people who are really excited to go back and look at costumes in a whole new light, adding to the history of them,” he said.
Curator of Batemans Bay’s Old Courthouse Museum Myf Thomson was equally excited.
Significant items of clothing at Bay museum include Boer War trousers, Major-General Alan Stretton’s winter dress uniform, a Victorian mourning cape and a 1950s evening dress, with wattle decoration.
Ms Thomson looks forward to discovering their stories.
“Quite often, we don’t have the provenance of an item, so we have to do a social context,” she said.
“Once you do the research, that brings a whole new dimension to it.
“Our theme is ‘where our stories live’ and that’s what we try to do.”
