Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
974.C40 |
Object Name |
Dress |
Date |
1945 |
Features |
Lady's dress c1945 - black wool - long cuffed sleeves with silver buttons - front wrap style - belted waist notched collar - Eisenhauer bloused back |
Object Story |
This Eisenhower backed dress was worn by Helen Hutchison in 1945 while living in Napanee with her husband Norman Hutchison. The dress is considered an Eisenhower backed dress due to the silhouette it creates that resembles the military uniforms created by Dwight Eisenhower for the U.S military in the 1940s. Helen L. Hutchison was a very active member of the Lennox and Addington Historical Society donating most of her collection to the organization in life and in her estate after death. Within the historical society Helen became a key organizer in their projects and was soon made the vice-president in 1962 and then president in 1973. It was during her vice-presidency where she and other members began the restoration of the MacPherson house with the help of associates from Upper Canada Village. The wider Napanee community also pitched into the project aided by fundraisers organized by Helen, as well as volunteers from the Napanee District Secondary School. Norman also pitched in at the house completing maintenance for the entirety of the restoration. After 6 years of work the MacPherson House opened on August 5, 1968 becoming the community hub that the historical society had hoped for. Beyond the restoration of the Macpherson house Helen and Norman took to other endeavors. Norman worked at Napanee District Secondary School, becoming a department head in 1964. Meanwhile Helen became the curator at the Lennox and Addington Museum and Archives. She also found the time to write an unpublished thesis, "A Study of the Napanee River Improvement Company", which discusses the industrial use of water on the Napanee River. In 2014, the historical society transferred the Macpherson house and its collection to the Lennox and Addington Museum and Archives where it is now used for summer events. The couple lived into their old age with Helen passing away in 1992 at the age of 80. Her funeral was held at Grace United Church on June 10th, 1992 after which she was buried at Riverside Cemetery. Norman passed away two years later in 1994 at the age of 84, where he was then buried alongside his wife at Riverside Cemetery. |
People |
Hutchison, Helen L. Honey, died 1992 Hutchison, Norman |
Subjects |
1940's Clothing & dress Collectors Costumes Historical societies People associated with education & communication Teachers |
Search Terms |
Bath Costume, 1945 Grace United Church Lennox and Addington Lennox and Addington County Lennox and Addington County Museum Lennox and Addington County Museum and Archive Lennox and Addington Historical Society Macpherson House Napanee Napanee District Secondary School Napanee, Grace United Church Napanee, Macpherson House |