Can't believe it's been almost a year since I last wrote- it's been a busy one! Returned to the staff at Historic Locust Grove here in Louisville, this time as Program Coordinator. Never thought my actual job would be planning and executing programs at a 200+ year old historic site. Just to make things better, my office is in a loft perched on top of ca. 1810 log house.
Got to return to the museum where history first came to life for me in the first place (launching all you see here!), Heritage Village at Sharonville (Ohio), to do a special first person presentation as John Tipton. NOT a feel good story! The audience looked shocked. I will be returning to do a new presentation in March of 2016.
And, of course, tons of research an development on Victorian clothing and material culture, mostly my favorite book ends- the 1840s and the 1880s-90s. Made an 1840s frock coat and trousers for my friend Keith who does and 1842 interpretation at Locust Grove. You can't see it in the photo but the trousers are a nice, subtle blue plaid.
Wasn't happy with the way the last 1840s frock coat I made for myself was fitting in the arms but, luckily, my friend Michael Ramsey and I spent a weekend geeking out on Victorian clothing construction and he helped me diagnose the issue. Made a new one, happy with the result. Here with my 1790s friend Bob at my friends' Lance and Regan's Christmas party. Photo by buddy Asha.
Mostly everything else was just trying to get everything in shape to shoot it to the next level. One ongoing project- I had such good experience with Past Patterns' 014 Mid 19th Century Summer Trousers pattern that I have been using them as the basis for trousers of the 1880s-1890s by tweaking the back a little based on some details from the day and using Jason MacLochlainn's chart on page 86 of The Victorian Tailor to modify the knee and cuff widths. Results have been promising!
So- hopefully back on track and can share more actual information on the world of real Victorian men soon!
Yours &c,
The Victorian Man
