This Christening gown belonged to William Edward Housden who was born in Castlemaine in 1890 and died in Warrnambool in 1972. He served in World War One and married Lucy Knowles in 1921. It was on occasions, and still is, a common practice to make a special dress for a baby's Christening or to use a gown that has been handed down over the generations. This is a fine example of a Christening gown made for a baby 130 years ago.This is a Christening gown made of cream cotton. It is high waisted with a gathered skirt and a pintucked bodice with hand embroidered leaves and fine drawn thread work. The draw string waist opens at the back. It has long sleeves with lace and embroidered cuffs. There is lace and draw string tape around the neck. The seams have been machined.william edward housden, christening gowns