The Valentine (Richmond, VA) 2015-Present
Over the years CFT has done extensive conservation treatments on many historic costumes, for the Valentine’s expressive exhibitions. Exhibits include: Pretty Powerful, Our Hearts on Our Sleeves, and The Virginia Man: Respect, Responsibility, Rebellion. We also conserved the unique coronation ensemble of Lady Astor (read the Washington Post article here) and a gown worn to a ball thrown in honor of General Lafayette’s 1824 tour of the new country of America.
Fredrick Douglass National Historic Site National Park Service (Anacostia/Washington DC) 2016-Present
It is a great privilege to conserve the intimate household textiles and clothing of Fredrick Douglass, renowned abolitionist, writer, and orator. Among the artifacts are his Panama hat, leather shoes, kid gloves, handkerchief, suspenders, shirt, vest, and a quilt – all conserved and prepared for display in his Anacostia home. Ongoing projects include the treatment of more personal clothing and a second quilt.
Manassas National Battlefield Park National Park Service (Manassas, VA) 2018
This magnificent flag saw and survived the Second Battle of Manassas 1862. Treatment included humidification, alignment, cleaning, and a full lining carefully hand stitched to the back of the flag. The flag was pressure mounted and framed by Archival Art Services and hangs in the park’s visitor center.
National Museum of African American History and Culture (Washington, DC) 2016
Several famous textiles were prepared for the inaugural exhibits. Very exciting artifact was the workout robe and headgear worn by the only boxer who could ‘float like a butterfly and sting like a bee’, Muhammad Ali, Curt Flood’s St Louis Cardinal’s baseball jersey, Althea Gibson’s Wightman Cup blazer, and a fabulous fur pimp coat worn in the movie The Mack.
National Women’s Party at Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument (Washington, DC) 2015
These empowering suffragette banners, more important today than ever, were conserved for an exhibition at the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center, at the Brooklyn Museum of Art.
National Museum of the Marine Corps (Quantico, VA) 2018
This darling child’s WWI uniform and beautiful tulle embroidered 1920’s dress were conserved and dressed for display on custom-made forms, for the newest exhibit at The National Museum of the Marine Corps
