Please excuse cross-postings CALL FOR PAPERS YOU ARE WHAT YOU WEAR: CLOTHING AND IDENTITY A Day-long Symposium at the Rensselaer County Historical Society, Troy NY Saturday, November 1, 2003 The Rensselaer County Historical Society (RCHS) in Troy, NY is presenting a call for papers to be delivered at its Fall 2003 symposium. The symposium will augment the Upstate History Alliance (UHA) traveling exhibition Looking in the Mirror: Clothing and Identity, that will be on display at RCHS from September to early December. The exhibition invites people to explore the many ways, past and present, in which clothing helps shape our identity. Whether thinking about that special dress worn to a prom, the military uniform now worn only for parades, or that favorite cozy bathrobe, clothes make all of us who we are. We wear clothes to fit in, or to stand out; for work and for play; to celebrate and to mourn. The goal of the symposium is to inspire interest into how clothing is used to shape individual and group identity. We also want to help spread the word on historical resources on clothing available to researchers. Participants will be asked to prepare a 20-30 minute presentation preferably with visuals, on topics related to the following themes. Panel discussions are also encouraged. SUGGESTED TOPICS: Religion and Clothing Symbolic Clothing Advertising and Clothing Changing Styles, Changing Taboos Music and Clothing Preserving Clothing and Clothing Records Social Status and Clothing Designer Versus Knock-off HOW TO SUBMIT Please submit a one-page description of your proposed session by April 30, 2003 to Stacy Pomeroy Draper, RCHS Curator, 57 Second Street, Troy, NY 12180. Final decisions on the symposium program will be made by May 15, 2003. Each participant will be asked to provide a paper for possible publication of symposium proceedings by RCHS at a later date. Any questions may be directed to Ms. Draper at [log in to unmask] or (518) 272-7232. For more information about RCHS please visit our website, www.rchsonline.org HISTORY OF THE FALL SYMPOSIUM AT RCHS In 2001, RCHS held a successful two-day symposium, Advancing Prosperity: Life and Culture in Upstate New York 1825 1861. The success of that symposium encouraged RCHS to present a biennial fall symposium that is connected to the fall exhibit. The Fall Symposium promotes research and discussion about historical topics that relate to upstate New York.