Explore the types of clothing worn and made by Charity Bryant and Sylvia Drake in this interactive talk with dress historian and historical costumer Eliza West. Eliza will share her collection of reproduction early 19th century garments, from corsets to bonnets, while discussing the fashions of the day, and what it meant to make your living by your needle in early America.
About the Speaker
Eliza West is an artist and sewing instructor living in Montpelier Vermont. After working as a historical costumer for several years at Fort Ticonderoga, Eliza earned her MA from the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture, with a focus on textile history. Today she works as a printmaker, teaches sewing classes, and organizes queer community arts events in Central VT.
About the Fall Festival 2026
Each year, our Fall Festival celebrates National Arts and Humanities Month in October and reminds Vermonters of the impact and breadth of the humanities. This year’s Fall Festival 2026: Our Woven History recognizes the stories contained in our Vermont Reads 2026 book, Charity & Sylvia by Tillie Walden, while also commemorating the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding.
Please contact us at info@vermonthumanities.org for information on disability services. To request a specific accommodation, contact us at least three weeks prior to the event. Vermont Humanities strives to provide accommodations whenever possible. All event locations are ADA accessible.
