Keeping up Appearances

One of the most charming features of Christmas in the Adobes is the period attire worn by many volunteers. The clothing adds to the festive and authentic feeling of the event for volunteers and visitors alike. You know it’s that time of year when you meet a woman strolling down Calle Principal

in an 1840s gown and bonnet or a Californio woman wrapped in a rebozo. 

Dedicated volunteer seamstresses over several decades have produced and maintained a large room full of clothing – always using authentic patterns and fabrics. Funding for the materials and tools such as sewing machines is provided by MSHPA.

The clothing collection is not stagnant.  It grows as interpretation and activities evolve. This year, the Larkin House will, for the first time, interpret the lives of the home’s donor, Mrs. Alice Toulmin (Thomas Larkin’s granddaughter), and her husband Harry.  Of course, this meant that clothes and accessories from the 1920s had to be made and purchased.

Clothes and accessories reflect both the Mexican and the American periods. For variety and authenticity, specialized items and accessories are always being acquired and replaced. A suit for a 19^th century sailor has recently been added. There are also military uniforms and ball gowns for special occasions. People in the nineteenth century wore several layers of clothes and many accessories. The proper petticoats (many), waistcoats, cravats, sashes, bonnets, hats and shawls are crucial for an authentic appearance.