Costume historian to speak at state museum

A nationally known costume historian will present a program on 19th century fashions at the Nevada State Museum.

"If you ever wondered about your own family photos, this lecture will be invaluable," said Jan Loverin, curator of clothing and textiles at the Marjorie Russell Textile Museum, part of the Nevada State Museum.

The program features Joan Severa of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Her focus will be on fashions of the last century as depicted in photography from that era. She is the author of the book "Dressed for the Photographer," published in 1996.

"Her lecture will also be of interest to photo enthusiasts, as she will identify different photogenic techniques, such as the daguerreotype, ambrotype and tintype," Loverin said.

Photos to be discussed by Severa will cover a period from the 1840s through the beginning of the 20th century.

Severa's presentation is sponsored by the Bretzlaff Foundation, which set up an endowment for the History Department at the Nevada State Museum, for the purpose of sharing historical information with the public.

While visiting Carson City, she will also work with local experts dating and identifying pieces of historic clothing.

The lecture will begin at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 18, at the museum in Carson City.