Curator Talks at the Armidale Folk Museum

Curator Talks at the Armidale Folk Museum provide an intimate insight into ladies’ fashion from the early 1900s and the quintessential cup of tea ritual of an afternoon social tradition.

The popular exhibitions ‘A Summer Afternoon’ and ‘Time for Tea’ have been extended until the end of April and interim museum officer Bronwyn Clarke will be giving curator talks on each display on Thursday 31 March, and Saturday 2 April.

“The Curator Talks are great opportunity for people interested in fashion and the historical tradition of some of our most important social past times to be explored in depth,” said Bronwyn.

The ‘A Summer Afternoon’ display recalls the charm and elegance of a century ago and features ladies’ fashions from the early 1900s, light and cool for relaxing afternoon picnics, teas, and social visits in the heat. In the curator talks, Bronwyn, who is also a dress historian, will show a number of additional dresses from the Folk Museum collection suitable for afternoon outings during the early years of the 20th century, and discuss the changes in silhouette and styles that reflected the dramatic societal changes from 1900-1920.

The curator talks for ‘A Summer Afternoon’ will take place on Thursday 31 March and Saturday 2 April at 11.00am.

The ‘Time for Tea’ display celebrates the roles and rituals of preparing and drinking tea, the silver and china designs for serving it, and the social and culinary traditions of afternoon tea. In the curator talks, Bronwyn Clarke will discuss the evolution of afternoon tea and its various styles and traditions -- from the secret meal for hungry aristocratic ladies in the 1840s to the luxurious hotel afternoon teas of contemporary times.

The curator talks for ‘Time for Tea’ will take place on Thursday 31 March and Saturday 2 April at 2.00pm.

Admission is by gold coin donation. Bookings are essential for the curator talks due to COVID-safe space limits and can be made by calling the Folk Museum on 6770 3836 from 11.00am to 2.00pm daily.

Published on 24 Mar 2022