Preventative Conservation of the First Ladies’ Gowns

The CMCH, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is proud to host a presentation by Dr. Sunae Park Evans, Senior Costume Conservator at the Smithsonian Institution.

Dr. Evans will speak about the history of the First Ladies’ exhibitions and how the field of costume conservation has impacted the display and preservation of the costumes of the First Ladies at the National Museum of American History (NMAH) through the exhibition’s history. Because of public demand, the First Ladies’ costumes have repeatedly been exhibited over about a one hundred year span. The museum’s addressing of American history has continuously changed over the decades as reflected in its research and exhibitions. It is worthwhile to look into the history of exhibitions, since it will provide insight into not only the progress of museum philosophy, but also the improved methods of displaying costumes as part of the museum’s preventative conservation approach.

The event is FREE and open to the public, but please RSVP before June 12 at rsvp@chs.org or by calling 860-236-5621 ext. 238.

Questions? Contact Adult Programs Manager Natalie Belanger at natalie_belanger@chs.org or call 860-236-5621 ext. 289.

About the Speaker
Sunae Park Evans serves as a senior costume conservator at the National Museum of American History. She has worked extensively on major NMAH and traveling exhibitions and has lectured on costume and textile preservation /exhibition in both the USA and Korea. She has Masters Degrees in Clothing and Textiles from Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul, Korea and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and a PhD in Clothing and Textiles from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.