Get ready for a walk through history stitched in silk and velvet. On Saturday, October 24, the Chicago History Museum opens “Threads of a Nation: Preserving Presidential Clothing”, a brand-new exhibition that brings the nation’s story to life through the garments of the people who shaped it.
As part of the museum’s celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary, the show gathers remarkable clothing and accessories associated with George and Martha Washington, John Adams, and Abraham and Mary Lincoln, alongside rare documents that add historical context.
Among the treasures: a suit of black silk velvet worn by George Washington, held by the museum for over a century; the velvet cape reportedly worn by Mary Todd Lincoln on the night of President Lincoln’s assassination, rarely shown to the public; china from the Lincoln White House; a spyglass once used by Washington; and dress fragments kept by Mrs. Lincoln’s personal seamstress.
What makes this exhibition truly special is its focus on the magic behind the scenes. Visitors will discover how conservators care for these delicate materials — vacuuming dust, reinforcing fragile silk, and crafting custom mannequins that evoke each era’s silhouette — so future generations can keep enjoying them.
The exhibition opens October 24 at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark Street in Lincoln Park. History has never looked this elegant.
Photo: Chicago History Museum
