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1. Jumper Dress, about 1918

Description:
This dress was worn by Elizabeth Virginia Palmer Bradfield.It is a lovely, loose fitting dress of "reform movement" styling. Elizabeth Virginia Palmer Bradfield was born in to one of Michigan's oldest mining families in 1875 in Port Huron, MI.Her grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, was a pioneer investor and developer of mines and railroads in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Her father, Charles Henry Palmer, Jr. continued to run his father's businesses and expanded them, with mines in Montana, Colorado, and Mexico.In 1896, she married Thomas Parks Bradfield. They lived in Grand Rapids, MI until 1904 and later settled in Pontiac, MI, where she lived until her death in 1954. They had two children, Virginia Palmer Bradfield Ward and Thomas Palmer Bradfield. Elizabeth Virginia Palmer Bradfield studied sculpture in Paris, and went on to be an accomplished sculptress. Her work was shown at the Scarab Club in Detroit, in their annual Exhibition of Michigan Artists from 1914-1933. In 1914, the Scarab Club honored her sculpture "Myra" with their first presentation of the annual Scarab Hopkin Prize for Sculpture.
Date Issued:
[1917 TO 1919]
Data Provider:
Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
Collection:
Digital Dress Collection

2. Dress, about 1932

Description:
Worn by Virginia Palmer Bradfield Ward, this is a striking, beautiful dress used for evening wear. The fine but very plain crepe is exquisitely cut, with the rhinestones making the whole dress seem even more streamlined. It likely was worn with a small belt, now gone. Virginia Palmer Bradfield was born 1897 in Grand Rapids, MI. She was born in to one of Michigan's oldest mining families.Her great grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, was a pioneer investor and developer of mines and railroads in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Her grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, Jr. continued to run his father's businesses and expanded them, with mines in Montana, Colorado, and Mexico. Her mother, Elizabeth Virginia Palmer Bradfield, continued to look after her family's estate as well as becoming an accomplished sculptress. Her father was Thomas Parks Bradfield, a graduate of University of Michigan and a lawyer. In 1918, Virginia married Harold Lee Ward of Pontiac, MI. Mr. Ward was the grandson of David Ward, one of Michigan's first lumber barons. After some time in California where Harold was stationed as a flying cadet with the Army Signal Corps Aviation Section, the two returned to live in Pontiac and had three daughters, Virginia Palmer Ward Golding, Elizabeth Palmer Ward DeVine and Ann Ward Spaeth.
Date Issued:
[1931 TO 1933]
Data Provider:
Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
Collection:
Digital Dress Collection

3. Corset, 1838-1840

Description:
The donor indicated that this was worn by Betsy Ann Cowles Palmer for her wedding sometime between 1838 and 1840. Its styling is that of a wedding or trousseau corset-- lovely and decorative with fancy embroidery. Torso proportions are appropriate for the 1840s, and metal eyelets were not used until this time.Betsy Ann Cowles Palmer was born in 1822. In 1839, she married Charles Henry Palmer, a pioneer investor and developer of mines and railroads in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Palmer's had five children, Verena Palmer Beaudette, Charles Henry Palmer, Jr., Clarence A. Palmer, Virginia Louise Palmer Pickman, and Philomela Palmer Hoffman.
Date Issued:
[1838 TO 1840]
Data Provider:
Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
Collection:
Digital Dress Collection

4. Evening Dress, 1958

Description:
A couture piece by Henri Bendel made for Mrs. Edmond DeVine (Elizabeth Palmer Ward DeVine) of Ann Arbor, MI. Mrs. DeVine's portrait was painted wearing this dress, and the painting stills hangs in the family home. This lovely dress has seen a fair amount of wear-- it was surely a special gown worn for special occasions. Elizabeth Palmer Ward DeVine was born in to one of Michigan's oldest mining families.Her great great grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, was a pioneer investor and developer of mines and railroads in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Her great grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, Jr. continued to run his father's businesses and expanded them, with mines in Montana, Colorado, and Mexico. Her mother, Virginia Palmer Bradfield Ward was the daughter of an accomplished sculptress, Elizabeth Virginia Palmer Bradfield.
Date Issued:
1958-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:
Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
Collection:
Digital Dress Collection

5. Coat Dress, about 1950

Description:
This is an interesting dress in that it appears to be a transitional late 1940s style. It includes features of prewar fashion such as the shoulder pads, but also has some of the fullness in the skirt characteristic of circa 1947 New Look styling. It was owned by Elizabeth Palmer Ward DeVine of Ann Arbor, MI. Elizabeth Palmer Ward DeVine was born in to one of Michigan's oldest mining families.Her great great grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, was a pioneer investor and developer of mines and railroads in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Her great grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, Jr. continued to run his father's businesses and expanded them, with mines in Montana, Colorado, and Mexico. Her mother, Virginia Palmer Bradfield Ward was the daughter of an accomplished sculptress, Elizabeth Virginia Palmer Bradfield.
Date Issued:
[1948 TO 1952]
Data Provider:
Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
Collection:
Digital Dress Collection

6. Dress, about 1860

Description:
While this appears to be a day dress at first glance, it was more likely used around the house in the morning as it opens entirely from waist to hem at center front. It may have had boning in the bodice, however the bodice has been altered so it is difficult to determine.Worn by Betsy Ann Cowles Palmer around 1860. Betsy Ann Cowles Palmer was born in 1822. In 1839, she married Charles Henry Palmer, a pioneer investor and developer of mines and railroads in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Palmer's had five children, Verena Palmer Beaudette, Charles Henry Palmer, Jr., Clarence A. Palmer, Virginia Louise Palmer Pickman, and Philomela Palmer Hoffman.
Date Issued:
[1850 TO 1860]
Data Provider:
Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
Collection:
Digital Dress Collection

7. Dress, 1924

Description:
The dress was designed by Callot Soeurs. Callot Soeurs was one of the leading fashion houses in Paris during the 1920s. They catered to an exclusive clientele from across Europe and the United States. The house opened in 1895 at 24, rue Taitbout in Paris, France and was operated by the four Callot sisters: Marie Callot Gerber, Marthe Callot Bertrand, Regina Callot Tennyson-Chantrell and Joséphine Callot Crimont. They were known for their exotic and lavish detail; feminine, delicate fabrics and stylings; and exquisite handwork and attention to detail.Callot Soeurs were among the first designers to use gold and silver lame, fabrics which became very popular in the 1920s.Owned by Virginia Palmer Bradfield Ward, this is a dazzling dress that would have sparkled and swayed as she moved. The shape is typical of the earlier 1920s, as it is a bit larger and less sleek than pieces from the later part of the decade. Virginia Palmer Bradfield Ward was born 1897 in Grand Rapids, MI. She was born in to one of Michigan's oldest mining families.Her great grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, was a pioneer investor and developer of mines and railroads in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Her grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, Jr. continued to run his father's businesses and expanded them, with mines in Montana, Colorado, and Mexico. Her mother, Elizabeth Virginia Palmer Bradfield, continued to look after her family's estate as well as becoming an accomplished sculptress. Her father was Thomas Parks Bradfield, a graduate of University of Michigan and a lawyer. In 1918, Virginia married Harold Lee Ward of Pontiac, MI. Mr. Ward was the grandson of David Ward, one of Michigan's first lumber barons. After some time in California where Harold was stationed as a flying cadet with the Army Signal Corps Aviation Section, the two returned to live in Pontiac and had three daughters, Virginia Palmer Ward Golding, Elizabeth Palmer Ward DeVine and Ann Ward Spaeth.
Date Issued:
1924-01-01T00:00:00Z
Data Provider:
Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
Collection:
Digital Dress Collection

8. Dress, 1925-1935

Description:
This dress was owned by Virginia Palmer Bradfield Ward. A dramatic and slinky bias cut evening dress, both the styling and the coral color are typical of the mid 1930s. The interesting seaming and panel insets give much visual interest to what might seemingly be a plain dress.Virginia Palmer Bradfield was born 1897 in Grand Rapids, MI. She was born in to one of Michigan's oldest mining families.Her great grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, was a pioneer investor and developer of mines and railroads in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Her grandfather, Charles Henry Palmer, Jr. continued to run his father's businesses and expanded them, with mines in Montana, Colorado, and Mexico. Her mother, Elizabeth Virginia Palmer Bradfield, continued to look after her family's estate as well as becoming an accomplished sculptress. Her father was Thomas Parks Bradfield, a graduate of University of Michigan and a lawyer. In 1918, Virginia married Harold Lee Ward of Pontiac, MI. Mr. Ward was the grandson of David Ward, one of Michigan's first lumber barons. After some time in California where Harold was stationed as a flying cadet with the Army Signal Corps Aviation Section, the two returned to live in Pontiac and had three daughters, Virginia Palmer Ward Golding, Elizabeth Palmer Ward DeVine and Ann Ward Spaeth.
Date Issued:
[1925 TO 1935]
Data Provider:
Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
Collection:
Digital Dress Collection