Victorian Fashion

You hear music coming from an old fashioned music box; the dimly lit parlor atmosphere surrounds you. The beautiful reproduction tin ceiling is over your head, the wood floor and old carpet under your feet, and a courting chair to rest in while you look in awe at the incredible clothes of the late 1800’s.

The beautiful green and burgundy colors of the exhibit gives you the feeling you have just stepped back to the time of the prim and proper well dressed ladies and gentlemen of the time. There are exquisite dresses made of every type of fabrics and colors. Trimmed with lace, buttons and fur, the dresses all made by hand are tastefully displayed. Each case is a different memory of days gone by.

Since the railroad came through Dodge City in 1872, it was easy for the women of this new town to have the finest in fabrics and accessories shipped here from larger cities, such as New York and Chicago. The railroad also allowed settlers to purchase goods from mail-order companies such as Sears-Roebuck and Montgomery Ward. Displayed with the casual clothing of the gentlemen of the day, are golf clubs, ice skates, billiard balls, croquet, and many others. Wedding clothes, evening wear and children’s clothing are also displayed; as well as a dresser surrounded by underclothing, corsets, jewelry, perfume bottles and much more. There are wonderful photos of the era also.

The exhibit itself is a thing of beauty; the fiber optic lighting creates an atmosphere that must be experienced by all who visit.