You Are What You Wear: Clothing and Identity
A One-Day Symposium at the Rensselaer County Historical Society

Saturday, November 1
9:00 AM ­ 5:00 PM
$40 RCHS members, $50 non-members includes registration, coffee breaks and
reception.
Box lunch available for $10

Following the success of our 2001 symposium on the years 1825-1861, the
Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) is presenting a one-day
symposium focusing on how clothing shapes our identity.  The symposium is
part of a series of fashion programs that relate to the fashion inspired
exhibitions at the museum during fall 2003.  The exhibitions are on view
through December 7, 2003.

Invited Speakers to the symposium include:

John Patrick, Fashion Designer, Owner, John Patrick, Latham -
Introductory Speaker

Kerry Linden, Curator of Interpretation and Collections, Oneida Community
Mansion House and Jody Luce, Historic Clothing Reproductions - ³Salvation
from the Dress Spirit: The Oneida Community Reform Dress²

Robin Campbell, Associate Curator, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and
Historic Preservation - ³What to Wear to a Massacre and Other Sartorial
Concerns²

Tracy Shaffer Miller, Hartgen Archeological Associates  - Personal Artifacts
and Social Identity: Archeological Investigations at Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute in Troy

Kristine Rhoback, Curator of Textiles, Amherst Museum - Furs, Fakes and
Fantasy

Diane Shewchuk, Registrar, Albany Institute of History and Art - 1940's
Buttons for the Dress Trade. A Case Study of One Designer, Marion Weeber

Michael Murphy, PhD. Candidate in American Art History and Gender
Studies  - Arrow¹s Eros?: The Question of Homoeroticism in J.C.
Leyendeckers¹ Arrow Collar Advertisements

The symposium will take place at RCHS¹s headquarters and museum located in
downtown Troy at 57 Second Street.

Call Ilene Frank at 518-272-7232 x. 17 to register or for more information.
Registrations must be made by October 24.

The Rensselaer County Historical Society is a dynamic, community-responsive
educational organization that connects the importance of local history and
heritage to contemporary life.  The purpose of RCHS is to promote broad
public participation and interest in the history of Rensselaer County and
its place in the region, state and nation.