A Look into CHM’s Fur Vault

Take a peek inside the Chicago History Museum’s fur vault with costume collections intern Amanda Cacich. During the past six months, I’ve worked extensively with the objects in the Museum’s … Learn More

Some Big Shoulder Pads to Fill

Costume curator Petra Slinkard reflects on the life of Chicago Bears linebacker Doug Buffone. I distinctly remember the day when I came across these shoulder pads in costume storage. Costume … Learn More

A CHM Western Wear Treasure

Costume collections manager Jessica Pushor writes about a fine example of western wear from the Museum’s costume collection. Western wear and high-quality custom tailoring may not seem like they go … Learn More

What Didn’t Make the Cut

Planning an exhibition such as Chicago Styled: Fashioning The Magnificent Mile® (November 15, 2014–August 16, 2015) requires combing through the entire costume collection to find the most appropriate garments. We … Learn More

In the Beginning: Blum’s Vogue

In honor of Chicago Styled: Fashioning The Magnificent Mile®, the Museum blog will publish a series of posts highlighting the stores, garments, designers, donors, and urban developments featured in the … Learn More

The Chemistry of Conservation

Editor’s note: In 2001, Eunice Johnson commissioned an ostrich feather coat and skintight 1930s-style beaded gown with a separate face-framing hood from Bob Mackie. Costume curator Virginia Heaven describes the … Learn More

A National Treasure

This post was published in 2013. Beginning Saturday, November 9, 2013, the Museum will host a national treasure: a printed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln, Secretary of … Learn More

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