From its beginnings in 1958, the Society has mounted exhibitions and/or displays, in early days in shop window and in community spaces located in the Kew City Hall (later Kew Library), and since 2010 at the Kew Court House. Exhibitions typically coincided with the annual Kew Community Festival in March, but after 2013 evolved into three new exhibitions yearly at the Kew Court House. Smaller displays continue to be mounted in the Kew Library.Very faded photographic colour positive of a christening gown and four Victorian-era dresses displayed at the 1976 Festival of Kew exhibition mounted by the Kew Historical Society. This picture is one of the earliest showing items from the Coombs Collection on display. The collection had been donated to the Society in 1961. Dresses displayed: L-R blue silk 2-piece fitted day day dress with long train; cream satin parasol; gold taffeta wedding dress with long train; blue silk 2-piece day dress with applied later lace at neck and waist; duck egg blue quilted afternoon dress with buttons at front. Inscribed verso: Kew Historical exhibition 1976festival of kew 1976, kew historical society -- exhibitions, coombs collection

From its beginnings in 1958, the Society has mounted exhibitions and/or displays, in early days in shop window and in community spaces located in the Kew City Hall (later Kew Library), and since 2010 at the Kew Court House. Exhibitions typically coincided with the annual Kew Community Festival in March, but after 2013 evolved into three new exhibitions yearly at the Kew Court House. Smaller displays continue to be mounted in the Kew Library.This photograph confirms that the purple ballgown is/was part of the Coombs family donation of Victorian era costumes made to the Society in 1961. Therefore it is important for establishing the item's provenance. Display of costumes from the collection of the Kew Historical Society, exhibited during the Festival of Kew in 1979. Recognisable items include from left the 1890s purple ball gown, the 1860s white satin wedding dress and the blue two-piece 1880s outfit. All items are clearly from the Coombs donation of 1961, there being no other record of costumes occurring before 1979. Inscribed verso: "Taken during Festival of Kew 1979 / Kew Hist contribution / Exhibition of Family Treasures / Donated by Janet McDermott 1979"kew historical society -- exhibitions, festival of kew -- 1979

This dress was worn by Julia Benjamin (1850-1927) for her marriage to Abraham Smith (of Polish descent) at the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation in Bourke Street, Melbourne on 5 September 1868. Julia was the daughter of Joseph Benjamin and Hannah Soloman. Records suggest it may have been converted into her 'calling' gown for the three month 'bridal' period following her marriage. The gown would have been worn with accompanying accessories of a cape and gloves.An early example of a wedding dress of the Melbourne Jewish community.One piece floor length dress of (originally) lavender, watered (moiré) silk taffeta with short sleeves and train that is controlled by interior tapes to create bustle effect. The bodice fastens down the centre front to the waist where the opening below the waist is concealed by side pleats. The bodice appears to have originally featured a piece of lace at the neckline and a textile ruched belt. The dress is backed with a cream cotton.julia benjamin, abraham smith, joseph benjamin, hannah soloman, melbourne hebrew congregation, wedding dress

Millie Ching married Bob Cornish.Sepia wedding photograph of a lady wearing gown and veil, seated with right arm resting on back of chair, holding bouquet of flowers on lap with left hand."Millie Ching".millie ching, millie cornish, weddings

Black and white photograph mounted on heavy card of the female members of wedding party after the marriage of Belle Coate to Lawrence. Bride's gown has handkerchief point hemline, three bridesmaids and flower girl in short sleeved full length frocks and gauzy hats.genealogy, fashion, celebration

Sepia toned photograph taken at the marriage of Vi Coate and Ray Symmons showing the wedding party in a garden setting. Bride in shin length gown with train, bridesmaids in knee length frocks with layered frills on skirt and gossamer capes, flower girl in simple frock with short skirt.genealogy, celebration

Handmade by the donor, using fabric from the donor's wedding dressc1990Handmade cream nylon christening gown with applied lace, satin ribbon and embroidery. It closes at the back with a false button and press stud fastening.Nilbaby clothing, christening gown, handmade

Ilma, Bill and Reg Jennings were Dulcie's brothers and sister. Kitty Sandow afterwards married Reg Jennings.Photograph shows bride wearing satin gown and veil, groom wearing formal suit and carrying white gloves, with their attendants - Ilma and Bill Jennings on left hand side, and Kitty Sandow and Reg Jennings on right hand side.dulcie jennings, dulcie corbett, james corbett, ilma jennings, bill jennings, reg jennings, kitty sandow, kitty jennings

Dulcie Jennings, a daughter of William Jonathan and Matilda Jennings (née Michell), married James Corbett in 1935.Photograph of Dulcie Jennings on her wedding day. She is wearing a long satin gown with a cowl neck and elbow-length sleeves, with a full-length train. Her accessories include white gloves and a pearl necklace, and she is holding a bridal bouquet in her right hand.dulcie jennings, dulcie corbett

1907 Wedding dress; cream silk, two piece gown; top has leg of mutton sleeves and a high collar, ruffles boarding a V shaped lace panel on bodice which tucks into a full skirt with a wide waistband adorned with silk flowers at the clasp, no trainwedding dress, nellie eichner, 1907 - wedding dress, textiles - bridal - fashion

Brenda Crute married Jim Bywaters 19671967 A delightful bridal gown fashioned in chantilly lace cur on empire lines, fitted sleeveless bodice with boat shaped neckline back and front. Sheath skirt. Chapel length nylon organza coat train with butterfly sleeves & edging of chantilly lace. Headdress - Pearlized orange blossom & leaves mounted to a three-tiered nylon tulle veil.wedding dress, brenda crute, jim bywaters, 1967, textiles - bridal - fashion, stawell - wedding

1946 White crepe frock fashioned with long sleeves and a round neckline with double collar, the bodice is buttoned through to a curved waistline. A wide belt of the same fabric accentuates the waistline, with a long full skirt extended into a graceful train and matching long gloves. The triple layered veil of tulle, with the longest layer draping down the back of the gown, with an embroidered edge and motif, the top layer of the veil covering the face has the same embroidered motif and on the edge.embroidered motif on the points of the veil, as well as the edge.

Margery Beacom eldest daughter of Mr & Mrs W F Beacom of Boyeo, married Reginald John Morrison, youngest son of Mr & Mrs S Morrison, of Perenna, at Nhill Methodist Church on the 15th February 1947Wedding took place in Nhill Methodist Church, on 15 February 19471947 English Wedding dress: an attractive trained gown of cream figured crepe, beautifully beaded at the shoulders and on the diamond shaped front panel waist-line. beading on shoulders & waistreg morrison, wedding dress, 1947, nhill methodist church, beacom, margery beacom, reginald john morrison

Debra Jarred only daughter of Rex and Joan Jarred, of Broughton, married John Barber second son of Basil and Val Barber of Nhill, on 8 March 1980, at the Uniting Church, Broughton.Nhill family wedding; representing style of wedding dresses in 1980Wedding dress made by Cassandra Gowns; shoe string strap daisy lace bodice, with stand up collar of daisy lace and pleated skirt, elegantly covered with a cuffed long sleeve blouse, over skirt & belt of chiffon, flowing graceful soft train, finishing with a head-dress decorated in daisies attached to a long fine silk net veil.(2007.01.1) - Bouquet of white silk roses & ribbon(2007.01.2); white high heal lattice toe shoes with delicate ankle strap (2007.01.3), Blue lace garter & assorted crocheted bells, horse-shoe, and slippers, of satin ribbon (2007.01.4)daisy lace trim on cuffs and necklinewedding dress, 1980, broughton, debra jarred, debbie jarred, john barber, uniting church, rex & joan jarred, basil & val barber], nhill

Lottie Lillian (Dolly) McDonald married Richard Clement (Clem) Eastick on 25 May 1942 at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Nhill, Victoria.Both Dolly and Clem were born in Nhill, and continued to live in Nhill after their marriage.A delightful classical gown of white silk velvet with draped bodice and fell from the side of the skirt with soft full folds, the tiny shoulder and hip yokes were embroidered with small crystal beads.Shoulder and hip yokes were embroidered with small crystal beads.1942 weddings, wedding dresses, nhill - weddings, st. andrew's presbyterian church, mcdonald - eastick, textiles - bridal - fashion

Owned and worn by Patricia Capp of Dimboola, on her wedding day, when she married Mr. Walter Clark of Nhill.Bridal gown of figured de-lustered satin, with a fitted bodice and scooped neckline with long pointed sleeves and a full-length skirt with deep unpressed pleats. The three-tier veil was held by a circlet of flowers in front with a Dior bow, The bride carried a trailer of white roses and lily of the valley.1964 wedding gown, wedding attire, clothing, formal - clothing, textiles - satin

Faye Falting of Nhill married William Crawford of Nagambie in 1968William and Faye Crawford after their marriage became longtime residents of Nhill. William Crawford is buried in the Nhill Cemetery.The bridal gown is a classical 'A' line styled gown of treebark satin, with a high empire bodice of guipure lace over satin, and lace sleeves. A detachable train fanned from pleats and fell from the high bodice line at the back. wedding dress of faye falting

The photograph shows Tottie Todd with her Tainsh relatives - her cousins Lizzy Tainsh and Jane Hicks, and her uncle (by marriage) Thomas Hicks. Tottie was born Eliza Jane Todd to parents John Todd and Jane Tainsh in 1883.Black and white photograph taken at the wedding of Eliza ("Tottie") Todd and Alex Begg. Photograph shows groom and two other men in formal attire, bride and attendant in long gowns holding flower bouquets, two flower girls in short dresses and large hats, one standing the other seated in front of her on the floor, both holding bouquets."Bride "Tottie" Todd, groom Alex Begg, Bank Manager Kerang. Right hand end: Thomas Francis Hicks. From left to right: Lizzie Tainsh, daughter of William Tainsh and cousin of Tottie Todd; Charlie Bennett of Linton; Tottie (nee Todd) Begg; Alex Begg; Jane Hicks, daughter of Thomas Hicks; Thomas Francis Hicks, uncle of Tottie; front Lily Todd, sister of Tottie." "Mrs Todd made flowers / no wire used".tottie todd, weddings, thomas francis hicks, lizzie tainsh, charlie bennett, alex begg, jane hicks, lily todd

Robert Hission and Annie McDonald married in 1900. They lived at Linton, Pitfield and Geelong before moving to New Zealand in about 1903-04. Robert died in New Zealand in 1909 and Annie returned to Australia in 1912.Sepia photograph of a bearded gentleman wearing suit, seated with left hand holding newspaper on knee, right arm resting on chair arm, with lady wearing long sleeved long gown standing with right arm resting on small table, head leaning on right arm with elbow resting on pedestal."Mr Robert Hisshion Snr. / born at Linton 1863. / Mrs Robert Hisshion (nee Annie McDonald) / born Langiwilli 1874".robert hisshion snr., annie hisshion, annie (ann) mcdonald

Part of the Bennetts Collection. See catalogue No. 9726P for details of service for "Alva Marie Bennetts".Black and white photograph of three couples seated. men are in uniform and the women in ball gowns.Handwritten on the back in black ink: 'Taken at Commonwealth O.R.'s Club Ball, held on Princess Elizabeth wedding day. From left:- Junior Ward, Dulcie Kerr, Frances Richman, Max Mercier, Alva Bennetts, Bill Napier. Eta Jima 19/12/47'.bennetts collection, alva bennetts, photograph, bcof

Lydia was a daughter of William Garnsworthy Bennett and his wife Susan (née Williams). George was a a son of John McDonagh and his wife Martha (née Mathews). George and Lydia McDonagh later lived at Gunnedah in NSW. Part of S E Surman collection (album) page 9.Sepia wedding photograph with bride in long gown with train and veil standing with hands together on the right shoulder of a gentleman with moustache, wearing dark suit, white shirt, gloves and buttonhole, seated with hand on each lap."Gunnedah NSW Mr and Mrs Geo McDonagh, nee Lydia Bennett".george mcdonagh, lydia bennett, surman collection, weddings

Dress made by Ludmilla Jenkins at her shop in North Road, Ormond. The dress was made for Rosalie Schwerkolt for her marriage to Marvin Bruce Whalen at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Gardiner, Victoria on Wednesday 1st June, 1966 and afterwards at Butleigh Wootton, 867 Glenferrie Road, Kew. Rosalie was married from 33 Straughton Road, Glen Iris.Rosalie is the great granddaughter of Johann August Schwerkolt, pioneer of Mitcham.1966 wedding dress of silk, velvet in Winter White colour lined in silk voile. The dress is a princess line with round crew neck. Sleeves are narrow and taper to a point using a dart and with a zipper fastening on seam. The arm seam also features three pleats at the inside of the elbow crease. The back has a zipper closing and princess line seams. The gown is full length at the front and at the back extends to a point for a 40cm train using an insert gore in the princess seam. Approximate measurement bust 31 inches or 79 cm waist 24.5 inches or 62 cm Hip 36 inches or 94 cm See also items NA5076 - Garter NA5077 - Good luck Charm NA5078 - Bible NA5090 - Stocking NA5091 - Veil Nonecostume, female ceremonial

In the early 19th century, infant baptismal gowns were modelled on dresses worn by adult women. Gowns were typically made of fine white linen or cotton, and often trimmed with tucks, lace, whitework embroidery, and other handwork. The Kew Historical Society's collection includes over fifteen christening gowns dating from the 19th and 20th centuries.The christening gown of Dione McIntyre, local architect and life member of the Kew Historical Society. The colour and fabrics used in the gown were recycled from Ilma Diamond's [her mother's sister] wedding dress, when she was christened in 1931. As the smallest of the christening gowns in the collection, this would indicate that she was baptised at a very early age. The fragile baptismal gown is made from a silk slip, above which is an outer layer of embroidered net separated by bands of chiffon. The lace at the hem is also scalloped.christening gowns, ceremonial clothing, children's wear, baptismal clothing, victorian historical themes — 8.6 marking the phases of life, mcintyre collection, dione mcintyre

Silk taffeta and lace wedding dress, 1960, made and worn by Valerie Dawn Smith at her marriage to Barry Douglas Wright in Armadale, Melbourne in 1960. Val was apprenticed at Haskins and Co. in Collins Street, Melbourne from 1951, at the age of 16, learning extensive sewing skills, until 1954. She excelled at pattern making, sewing and beading. After her apprenticeship she was employed at Theo Haskin's Salon Milano in Royal Arcade, making glamorous evening gowns until her marriage. The wedding dress was fitted, tailored and and sewn by Valerie, probably assisted by her co workers at the Salon. Silk taffeta and lace wedding dress. The skirt is decorated by a large piece of hand-beaded floral lace. The bodice also features a small piece of lace. All hand beading was completed by Val. The back has a long pleated train, with a loop to hold for walking and dancing. The tight sleeves and back are fastened by zips, a "modern" feature to replace buttons that were the fashion of earlier wedding dress designs. Val wore a long veil that was attached with a delicate beaded wire head piece. It was worn with white high heeled shoes. Her bouquet was gardenias tied with a white ribbon.fashion and design -- 1960s, wedding dresses

Wedding dress made for Margaret Coleman of 135 Belford Road, Kew, who married Murray Turnbull of 21 Molesworth Street, Kew, at St Andrew’s, Gardiner in October 1952.White silk satin wedding dress made by Buckley & Nunn of Collins Street Melbourne. The dress has long sleeves and a v-neck bordered by wide lapels. The bodice is buttoned to the waist with buttons covered in the same fabric as the gown. The skirt drops from the waist with gentle pleating at the front. The skirt features a very long and wide train."Fabric exclusive to Buckley & Nunn"fashion and design -- 1950s, wedding dresses

Rosanna (Rose, Rosina) Lewis married Allan (Alan) McDonald on 18/5/1898. Rosanna was a daughter of George Lewis and Annie, née Brophy. Allan was a son of Norman McDonald and Ann, née McMaster.Enlarged black and white copy of original photograph which has been mounted on white card. The photograph shows a bride, wearing a floral headpiece and a veil, carrying a large trailing bouquet of flowers. Her gown has long sleeves and many frills and flounces on the bodice.allan (alan) mcdonald, rosanna (rose or rosina) mcdonald née lewis, weddings