Exhibit at Colorado State University Explores 19th Century Dress, Attitudes and Values

The Gustafson Gallery at Colorado State University will host an exhibit titled "Understanding History Through Appearance: An Analysis of a Black Woman in the 19th Century" April 30 through Sept. 29.

The exhibit, which opens with a public reception from 2-4 p.m. April 30, is based on a 19th century memoir written by Mary Seacole, a woman of Scottish and Jamaican descent who distinguished herself as a battlefield nurse during the Crimean War. The exhibit features carefully made reproductions of garments Seacole wore on her adventures healing cholera victims in Panama, on the battlefields and in the wilds of the Crimea, as described in her memoir, "Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands." In the exhibit, viewers learn through Seacole about 19th century dress, appearance, attitudes and beliefs..

The Gustafson Gallery, part of the Department of Design and Merchandising within the College of Applied Human Sciences, is located in Room 145 of the Gifford Building at 502 West Lake Street. Gallery hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The opening reception and the exhibit are free and open to the public..

The research for the exhibit was directed by assistant professor of Design and Merchandising Eulanda Sanders with the assistance of Historic Costume and Textiles Collection curator Linda Carlson. Several group studies also participated in the research. The National Library of Jamaica provided images of Seacole from their archives for the exhibit..

For more information about the exhibit, contact Carlson at (970) 491-1983.