Richers, Katherine
Friedman, V. (2019, 29 April). Should these clothes be saved. The New York Times. Retrieved from
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/29/fashion/smith-college-clothing-collection.html
Summary
Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts has a collection
of 3,000 pieces women’s clothing that’s unusual because most of it is not
designer or from anyone famous. The collection has recently come under scrutiny
for its purpose and value. Many pieces
are stained and have been donated by alumnae or were purchased at auction by
the professor who started the collection. English, history, anthropology and
math classes have studied the collection. The dresses are considered important
by students and by staff because they belonged to everyday women. However, at
this point it’s not a formal collection and what could happen to it without
funding and institutional support sounds dismal. Moving the collection to another
institution has been suggested.
Evaluation:
I chose this because it spoke to me on collection
weeding. This isn’t even a formal collection but it’s become a valued part of a
college. I wouldn’t know what to do. I like the idea of moving the collection
somewhere else but the staff students seem to really like it and find it
useful. The professor who started it has a point; why shouldn’t a women’s
college study the clothing of ordinary women? At the same time, a museum might increase
the audience.