Study of mourning rituals on display for the summer at local museum
A temporary exhibit for the summer season at the Bushwhacker Museum will feature mourning practices and apparel of the mid to late 1800s, extending from the Civil War to the end of the Victorian period. Authentic artifacts are on exhibit from the extensive personal collection of Kelly Schott, Director of Education, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Historical Museums. For some two years Kelly has worked with the Bushwhacker Museum on conserving and exhibiting 19th-century clothing, and explaining the accompanying customs, especially that period's "complicated and exacting" mourning clothing and customs. While living in nearby Kansas, she first came to the Bushwhacker Museum as a research resource on mourning and other 19th-century clothing of the Trans-Mississippi. She found here some information useful to her, and at the same time became interested in some of the museum's other projects. Soon becoming a familiar presence at the Museum, she gave the July 14, 2002, program for the Vernon County Historical Society, and presented programs to elementary school children for Missouri History Day 2002, and for adults during Bushwhacker Days in June, 2003. An exhibit from her personal collection stood alongside the Missouri State Archive's Lewis and Clark Traveling Exhibit, which was at the museum during May 2003. Now her personal collection of vintage mourning dresses, bonnets, and many accessories will be at the Museum, 212 West Walnut in Nevada, through the summer, and may be seen as a part of the regular Museum tour, Mondays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors will find the exhibit a revealing look at a fascinating but little-known topic. For further information please call the museum, (417) 667-9602.