In 1821 she married Benjamin Rouse; they lived in Boston and New York before moving to Cleveland in 1830. As a member of the Ladies Tract Society, Rouse made personal visits to every home in the village. She was an original member of the First Baptist Society. In 1842, she founded and became president of the Martha Washington & Dorcas Society, one of the first benevolent organizations in the city, from which originated the Protestant Orphan Asylum, which she served for many years as director. Dedicated to reforming the baneful effects of alcohol, she helped organize the Cleveland Ladies Temperance Union in June 1850., MUS 1206. Featured in the "Cleveland Starts Here" Exhibit
Wow Factor, 150 Years of Collecting Bold Clothes showcases gems of the Western Reserve Historical Society’s costume collection, on display in the Chisholm Halle Costume Wing. “Wow factor” is clothing’s ability to inspire feelings of wonder and awe. These emotions are triggered by beauty, craftsmanship, rarity, and humor. Through delicate textiles, bold color, a surprising silhouette, and glittering sequins, each of these qualities entices the viewer and empowers the wearer. It takes bold people to wear these clothes. Although the collection contains menswear and children’s clothing, Wow Factor highlights women, so often left out by the historical record. This collection celebrates women who are immigrants, scholars, travelers, artists, designers, philanthropists, and CEOs. They are Jewish, Jordanian, Japanese, African American, and transgender. Above all, they are Clevelanders.
In 1878 Ellen Garretson married Jeptha Homer Wade II, grandson of the Western Union Telegraph founder. The Wades often traveled and Nellie would have visited the Fifth Avenue firm Moschowitz & Russell to be fitted for this elaborate dress. The firm imported Parisian materials and no detail was overlooked, from delicately embroidered flowers to the sinuous, trained silhouette. Today, the Wade family’s impact can be experienced through the cultural institutions that they helped establish in University Circle, including the Cleveland Museum of Art and the WRHS., Made of silk faille, embroidery, and passmenterie. Worn in Cleveland, Ohio by Ellen Garretson Wade (1859-1917). Gift of Ellen Wade Chinn, 1996.39.2. Featured in the "Wow Factor: 150 Years of Bold Clothes" Exhibit.
Ann Otis wore this dress in Cleveland during the 1860s, when it would have been an even more saturated green. During the period, toxic organic compounds like aniline and arsenic created novel colors but eventually, scientists discovered the negative effects of the dye agents. In addition to the bold color, her silhouette, with its small waist and voluminous skirt, would have been admired. As the wife of the prominent businessman and future mayor, Charles A. Otis, Ann would have had occasion to be in the public eye., Made of silk. Worn in Cleveland, Ohio by Ann Eliza Sheppard Otis (1838-1883). Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harold T. Clark, 46.474. Featured in the "Wow Factor: 150 Years of Bold Clothes" Exhibit.
Framed oil painting of Hamilton Utley, his wife, and two of their thirteen children, Horatio and Ellen. The portrait is primitive, as the limbs look unnatural, the eyes are too large and staring, and the family seems to be crowded together in too small a space. Colonel Utley painted his parents, sister and brother when he was twenty-four years of age. Hamilton Utley was a pioneer of the Western Reserve, making his home in Newbury, Geauga County, in 1817. This painting was originally thought to be Merrill Squires and Family. The group portrait has a dark background and one child holds a cat. Leon Hodges was the grandson of Lavinia Merrick Utley, oldest child of Hamilton and Polly (Squires) Utley. She was born in Monson, Massachusetts in 1812 and died in Newbury in 1877. She married Erastus Hodges in Newbury on April 23, 1830. Lavinia was a child of five years at the time her mother, Polly with a baby only a few months old and another child of four years, William Laurence, emigrated from Massachusetts to the Western Reserve in 1817. The father, Hamilton, had stayed over at Alexander, New York that winter to teach school before he joined them in the Spring of 1818 in Newbury Township. Above information is from a genealogy, "Ancestors of Colonel William Laurence Utley, Son of Hamilton and Polly (Squires) Utley., MUS 848. Featured in the "Cleveland Starts Here" Exhibit
A directory of the cities of Cleveland & Ohio, for the years 1837-38: comprising historical and descriptive sketches of each place--an alphabetical list of inhabitants, their business and residence--a list of the municipal officers--every information relative to the public offices and officers, churches, associations and institutions, shipping, steamboats, stages, &c.--also, a list of the officers of the government of Ohio--a table of foreign coins and currencies--and a variety of other useful information. By Julius P. Bolivar McCabe. Cleveland, Stanford & Lott, book & job printers, 1837., Featured in the "Cleveland Starts Here" Exhibit
A directory of the cities of Cleveland & Ohio, for the years 1837-38: comprising historical and descriptive sketches of each place--an alphabetical list of inhabitants, their business and residence--a list of the municipal officers--every information relative to the public offices and officers, churches, associations and institutions, shipping, steamboats, stages, &c.--also, a list of the officers of the government of Ohio--a table of foreign coins and currencies--and a variety of other useful information. By Julius P. Bolivar McCabe. Cleveland, Stanford & Lott, book & job printers, 1837., Featured in the "Cleveland Starts Here" Exhibit
Certification that previous hit Anna M. Bailey is constituted a member for life of a female anti-slavery society. With detailed sketch of slave owner, slaves, and woman in armor encircled in rays of light., Featured in the "Cleveland Starts Here" Exhibit
As the canal began to take shape parallel to the Cuyahoga River, many people began to settle in the land beside it. Highlighted in this advertisement, land was sold, purchased, and developed to accommodate the new populations entering the area., Featured in the "Cleveland Starts Here" Exhibit
Clevelander Ada Yerkes wore this bold red dress to a dance in 1892 as a student at Smith College. She may have drawn attention on the dance floor, but she stood out amongst her peers for other reasons. At a time when not many women attended four-year colleges, she graduated from Smith and then completed her Ph.D. in zoology from Columbia University in 1900. Ada published her research in scientific journals, but her major accomplishment was the book she co-authored, The Great Apes, A Study of Anthropoid Life., Made of silk, velvet. Worn in Northampton, Massachusetts by Ada Watterson Yerkes (1873-1963). Gift of Robert H. Clark, 66.149.15. Featured in the "Wow Factor: 150 Years of Bold Clothes" Exhibit.
This silhouette, often called the robe de style, is associated with the designer Jeanne Lanvin, and mimics the wide skirts of the 18th century. Cleveland’s Phyllis Peckham wore French couture, and several of her Lanvin dresses are now in the WRHS collection. Phyllis pursued the latest fashions (thanks to her father’s ownership of the Cleveland Buick Company), but her life’s work became the support of Cleveland’s theater district. She even covered theater news in her radio program, “Eldred Theatre Players.”, Made of silk faille and chiffon, velvet ribbon. Worn in Cleveland, Ohio by Phyllis Peckham (1903-1999). Gift of Miss Phyllis Peckham, 75.124.19. Featured in the "Wow Factor: 150 Years of Bold Clothes" Exhibit.
Helen Bing was in danger of outshining the bride when she wore this dress to her daughter Marian’s wedding in 1929. She could afford designer gowns as the widow of Solomon Bing, former President of the Bing Co., one of Ohio’s largest furniture stores. In the face of losing her husband at a relatively young age, Helen raised three young children and served her community, as the President of the Cleveland Camp Fire Girls, President of the Temple Women’s Association, Vice President of the Cleveland Council of Jewish Women, and as a trustee of the National Conference of Christians and Jews., Made of silk, net, beading, sequins, faux pearls. Worn in Cleveland, Ohio by Helen Einstein Bing (1882-1976). Gift of Mrs. Thomas Cristal, 79.123.4. Featured in the "Wow Factor: 150 Years of Bold Clothes" Exhibit.
Dorothy Horvorka wore this dress for her final solo piano performance with the Cleveland Summer Orchestra in 1959. One might imagine that a classical musician should wear more serious clothing, but Dorothy dressed with color and flair onstage. This dress is made of layers of dusty purple net, but a bright pink lining peeks through, and glows in certain light. She found success as a pianist for decades before devoting herself to musical philanthropy, as a trustee of the Cleveland Orchestra and President of its Women’s Committee, and as President of the Cleveland Music School Settlement., Made of synthetic net. Worn in Cleveland, Ohio by Dorothy Humel Hovorka (1921-2017). Gift of Dorothy Humel Hovorka 81.51.2. Featured in the "Wow Factor: 150 Years of Bold Clothes" Exhibit.
Mary Norton wasn’t shy about dressing in sequins from head to toe. She would have been the center of attention in this dress, glittering in brand new electric lighting. As one of Millionaires’ Row’s prominent residents and the daughter of former Mayor William B. Castle, Mary’s life was filled with parties and family gatherings, both intimate and elaborate. John Hay described her 1876 wedding to David Z. Norton, for which “the whole village came together,” enjoying a wedding reception at the family’s home for hundreds of guests, with dancing, food, and merry-making., Made of silk, sequins. Worn in Cleveland, Ohio by Mary Castle Norton (1854-1928). Gift of Mrs. Fred R. White, Mr. Laurence & Robert Norton, 50.624. Featured in the "Wow Factor: 150 Years of Bold Clothes" Exhibit.
The city’s eyes were on the White family, who made their name through manufacturing, with the White Sewing Machine Co., and later with Rollin White’s co-ownership of the White Motor Corporation. He and his wife Katharine had a taste for adventure and the outdoors. Family photo albums depict her enjoying golfing and sailing, and during the 1930s she and her family cruised around the world on the SS Columbus. Around the time she would have worn this dress, she took her granddaughter, also named Katharine, on a North Cape cruise aboard the SS Kungsholm. Kate would have been 65 that year, and her willingness to shine in this silver dress hadn’t faded., Made of silk lamé. Worn in Cleveland, Ohio by Katharine King White (1872-1949). Gift of Mrs. W. Griffin King, 58.282. Featured in the "Wow Factor: 150 Years of Bold Clothes" Exhibit.
At first glance, this dress is striking for its profusion of sequins, delicately stitched to a layer of lace. Michaeline, or Mike, Maschke had the option of wearing it as you see it here, or with the hood up, which would have given her an added air of drama. Although hooded eveningwear was fashionable during the 1930s and 1940s, not everyone could pull it off., Made of synthetic, sequins. Worn in Cleveland, Ohio by Michaeline Maschke (1918-1998). The Mrs. Maurice Maschke, Jr. Collection, 86.94.14. Featured in the "Wow Factor: 150 Years of Bold Clothes" Exhibit.