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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.

Dress, deep yellow silk taffeta with blue silk satin pleats and long train, 1877-1882, front view with restored seams and darts
Dress, deep yellow silk taffeta with blue silk satin pleats and long train, 1877-1882
Shoes, white kidskin slippers with kidskin bow, 1879, side and front view
Shoes, white kidskin slippers with kidskin bow, 1879
Dress, asymmetrical natural form brown silk taffeta and satin, c. 1880, front view
Dress, asymmetrical natural form brown silk taffeta and satin, c. 1880
Housedress, cranberry red wool with self-trims, 1880s, front view
Housedress, cranberry red wool with self-trims, 1880s
Girl’s dress, salmon and maroon silk taffeta check with bustle, 1880s, front view
Girl’s dress, salmon and maroon silk taffeta check with bustle, 1880s
Dress, amber silk taffeta with chenille-fringed barege overdress, c. 1880, front view
Dress, amber silk taffeta with chenille-fringed barege overdress, c. 1880
Mantelet with lappet tails in black voided velvet, 1880s, front view
Mantelet with lappet tails in black voided velvet, 1880s
Duster, cream silk with dolman sleeves, 1880s, front view
Duster, cream silk with dolman sleeves, 1880s
Stockings, white cotton with black embroidery and openwork, 1880s
Stockings, white cotton with black embroidery and openwork, 1880s
Bustle pad, c. 1880s, back view
Bustle pad, c. 1880s
Cape, black silk satin with black bead embroidery, 1880s, front view
Cape, black silk satin with black bead embroidery, 1880s
Stockings, cream cotton with blue embroidery, 1880s
Stockings, cream cotton with blue embroidery, 1880s
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