Civil War clothing exhibit, fashion shows continue "Stitches in Time" series in August at Springfield area historic sites

SPRINGFIELD - The "Stitches in Time" historic clothing series at Springfield area historic sites continues in August with a Civil War theme.

The exhibit "Fabric of Life in a Country at War: Original Civilian and Military Clothing, 1861 to 1865" by K. Krewer will open at the Old State Capitol State Historic Site on Saturday, August 2. Meanwhile, at the Lincoln Home Visitor Center on August 2, two fashion shows will be presented: "Line of Stitching: Changes and Differences in Clothing During the Civil War" will be presented at 10 a.m., and "How the War Changed Women's Role in Society Reflected Through Fashion" will begin at 2 p.m.

Other upcoming "Stitches in Time" events include "Fur, Feather and Fin" on Saturday, September 20 at Lincoln's New Salem, which will demonstrate how early pioneers put food on the table and clothing on their backs; and "Old Settlers Day" on Saturday, October 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Strawbridge-Shepherd House at the University of Illinois at Springfield, where spinning, carding and other 1830s pioneer demonstrations will take place.

The "Stitches in Time" program series is being initiated this year to build momentum for Illinois' observance of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial. Organizers hope they will be able to continue "Stitches in Time" in 2009, the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.