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Professor Irma G. Bowen began collecting items in 1920 as a hands-on teaching tool for students in the Home Economics department at the University of New Hampshire. The collection was named in Bowen’s honor after her death in 1947, and by the time it transitioned to the University Museum in 1969, the Bowen Collection had gained new significance. With most of the objects donated by local colleagues and families, the preserved items were recognized as an unexpected archive of New Hampshire heritage on a personal scale, a glimpse of lives otherwise invisible to the historical record.

This digital catalog continues the Bowen Collection's mission to teach while expanding its reach by making it more widely accessible to those interested in the design, technique, artistry, and historical relevance of clothing.

Man’s vest, blue silk embroidered with flowers, 1850-1860, front view
Man’s vest, blue silk embroidered with flowers, 1850-1860
Swiss waist, black silk, 1850s-1860s, back view
Swiss waist, black silk, 1850s-1860s
Swiss waist, cream silk, 1850s-1860s, front view
Swiss waist, cream silk, 1850s-1860s
Boots, white satin side-laced, 1852-1854, side and front view
Boots, white satin side-laced, 1852-1854
Dress, brown silk with black fringe trim, 1853-1863, front view
Dress, brown silk with black fringe trim, 1853-1863
Dress, green taffeta plaid silk with black silk pleated trim, 1853-1863, front view
Dress, green taffeta plaid silk with black silk pleated trim, 1853-1863
Dress, green and tan striped silk with woven trim, 1853-1863, front view
Dress, green and tan striped silk with woven trim, 1853-1863
Shoes, white satin evening slippers, 1854-1856, side and front view
Shoes, white satin evening slippers, 1854-1856
Walking dress, three pieces with bodice, skirt, and sash, beige barege with purple stripes and leaves, 1860s, front view
Walking dress, three pieces with bodice, skirt, and sash, beige barege with purple stripes and leaves, 1860s
Shoes, white kidskin slippers with pinked bow, 1860s, side and front view
Shoes, white kidskin slippers with pinked bow, 1860s
Men’s dressing gown, 1860s, front view
Men’s dressing gown, 1860s
Dress for half-mourning, shot silk purple silk satin, 1860s modified in the 1890s, front view
Dress for half-mourning, shot silk purple silk satin, 1860s modified in the 1890s
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