A three-phase project presents authentic outfits
to enhance visitors’ historical perspective
HERSHEY, PA — America’s Transportation Experience/AACA Museum Inc. introduced an ambitious summer project to enhance several main gallery vehicle displays with models exhibiting period-specific fashions. Vehicle displays from the 1890s, 1910s, and 1930s will showcase models attired in authentic clothing and accessories from the museum’s extensive archives. The idea for adding fashion into exhibits began more than two years ago and bolsters the Museum’s educational mission by providing an expanded perspective of each vehicle’s unique place in time. The final details and placements in mid-September will mark the project’s completion.
To ensure the authenticity, appropriateness, and correct presentation of each display, the Museum relied heavily on the historic and vintage fashion professionals Dr. Karin Bohleke, director of the Fashion Archives and Museum of Shippensburg University and Colleen Callahan from The Costume & Textiles Specialists, Henrico, Va. Their leadership, direction and skills proved critical to project success.
PHASE ONE: The Planning and Preparation
The project’s first phase began in July with a complete inventory, identity confirmation and reorganization of the fashion pieces within the Museum’s archives. Additionally fashion storage spaces were updated and arranged under the direction of Museum Director of Development and Technology Rob Kain with the support of Westminster College (New Wilmington, Pa.) Senior and Museum intern Gwendolyn Gray.
After the items were re-cataloged and moved into the more accessible and manageable storage space, August team workshops were arranged. Profiles for the models to accompany each display were determined through image samples sourced from the archives of Drs. K. Bohleke and B. Bohleke of Biglerville, PA.
PHASE TWO: The Process and Production
The project’s second phase took place over three days in August. The professional fashion experts modified the mannequins’ forms to enhance realism. Then they populated fashions and accessories, performed numerous repairs and alterations, and gathered historical information. Six face profile images were selected for mounting on the models and production commenced shortly thereafter. Finally exhibit labels and identifiers were created. During the workshops, the Museum invited project sponsors and guests representing The Hershey History Center, The Hershey Story Museum, and Hershey Community Archives to view the production process.
PHASE THREE: The Presentation and Perspective
The final phase of the project occurs in mid-September when six professionally prepared facial profile images are added to mannequins adorned with their era’s corresponding clothing and accessories. Two completed models, circa 1890s ,will enhance the 1896 Benton Harbor automobile display in the Museum’s main gallery. A circa 1910s couple and refreshed artwork will accompany the 1910 Brush automobile displayed in the lower-level Richard O. Ullman Family Foundation Gallery. Two mannequins adorned in 1930s fashions will augment the Miami scene and currently displayed automobiles.
The project completion coincides with the launch of the Museum’s fall season and the introduction of the Fall/Winter 2024-25 featured exhibits.
