Conserving Tradition, Heritage, & Culture

By Carrie Barker, Collections Specialist

The beautiful regalia dress loaned by Sylvia Caudill and the bright, musical jingle dress loaned by Duvonya Chavis each needed mannequins to properly display. They also brought the additional challenge of arranging the materials as the owners would wear them to a traditional cultural event—accuracy was important.

The first steps to displaying clothing artifacts on a mannequin involve finding the best-sized mannequin for the job. Next, the mannequin needs to be padded with foam or fiberfill as necessary for the clothing to fall naturally. Finally, the mannequin and padding is covered with the gray “stocking” for a smooth surface for the clothing to rest on.

MEHERRIN INDIAN TRIBE REGALIA, LOANED BY SYLVIA CAUDILL. Display is almost complete on the mannequin—pink yoke ribbons tucked out of sight as a display option.

Courtesy Museum of the Albemarle

Museum volunteer Linda Fusco was an invaluable extra set of hands for the first steps, but guidance from Caudill and Chavis in the final display of the cultural clothing was necessary. The regalia accessories needed to be correct and appropriate—the cuffs, the yoke ribbon (tied? loose? tucked out of sight?), the purse strap (on or under the yoke?), and so on. Chavis’s granddaughter’s jingle dress was straightforward—except the belt. Chavis guided me via email to properly fold and tie the belt and where the tie should be placed. These details seem small but are important when displaying cultural items.