Arms museum exhibit showcases historic clothing

Staff report

Youngstown

The Arms Family Museum will open a new exhibit of historic clothing that will provide a glimpse into the everyday life and social activities of area women in the past century.

The Mahoning Valley Historical Society will dedicate the exhibit Tuesday as part of its Founders Day Dinner. The event will honor society member Jeanne D. Tyler, who amassed the impressive collection of clothing.

The public can see the new exhibit as part of a free open house from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Arms museum, 648 Wick Ave. The open house will include tours of the museum, which is operated by the MVHS, plus exhibits, games and activities on the lawn and in the hands-on history room. MVHS Director Bill Lawson will lead a walking tour of historic Wick Avenue at 1:30 p.m.

Titled “Twentieth Century Style: The Jeanne D. Tyler Collection,” the new exhibit will showcase garments worn by three generations of women: Tyler; her mother, Marion Struthers Thomas Deibel; and her grandmother, Helen Struthers Thomas.

Tyler has been involved with the MVHS for more than 40 years and has served several terms as a board member and two terms as president. She has enhanced the society’s collections and educational programs by contributing historical artifacts and records from her family’s history, and through financial support.

The exhibit, which will be the first in the new Jeanne D. Tyler Costume Gallery, will feature day dresses and evening gowns donated to the MVHS by Tyler over the past four decades.

Spanning a period from the 1910s to the 1970s, the garments of “Twentieth Century Style” embody the classic, elegant designs of their times. They range from simply tailored day dresses to sequined, appliqued and layered evening gowns.

The Founders Day Dinner will celebrate the 138th anniversary of the MVHS. For more information, call the society at 330-743-2589, or go to mahoninghistory.org.