Come to Jamestown — in Costume!

Celebrating historical milestones is something humans have done for millennia. In Scripture, God specifically commanded His people to remember the past, to commemorate what God had done, and to remind their children and grandchildren of victories won and lessons learned. Psalm 78:2-7 says,

I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.

Americans have a long heritage of celebration and commemoration of God’s hand in the foundation and formation of our nation. From the stirring sermons given in the 1830s and 1850s to the throngs crowding churches for memorial services in the 1900s and 1940s, we have a wonderful tradition of remembering the past and teaching it to the next generation. And part of that remembering involved dressing in period attire to portray the men, women, and children of America’s past.

The photograph below shows a group of people dressed in historical costumes covering the Puritans through the Antebellum era. This picture was taken in the 1920s at Thomas Jefferson’s summer home in Forrest, Virginia.

Photo copyright Digital Library and Archives of Norfolk Southern and Virginia Tech. Used with permission.

There is wonderful film footage from the 1920s and 1930s of costumed ladies visiting with Confederate and Union veterans. Stories survive from the 19th century of costumed events held to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and other memorable milestones. Pattern companies began introducing historical costumes in the 1890s, meeting with such great success that they’ve continued up to this day.

1920s "Colonial" costume

1976 Bicentennial costume

Reenacting is a popular hobby today, encouraging thousands of Americans to portray historical events so that future generations will not forget them. But you don’t have to be a reenactor to enjoy dressing in costume for a special event. Vision Forum would like to encourage Jamestown 400 attendees to dress in period attire to help make this celebration particularly special and noteworthy. Men, women, and children can all dress in historical clothing from 1607 to 1807, since we’ll be touring sites related to both Jamestown and the founding era. Come as John Rolfe to see Jamestown fort; come as Dolley Madison to visit the homes on Duke of Gloucester Street; dress as settler children of the 1750s, prepared to face the perils of the western Virginia wilderness. You might also spark conversations with curious tourists and have opportunities to share your thoughts on the providential hand of God in America’s history!

In the weeks leading up to the Jamestown Quadricentennial, Vision Forum is offering sewing patterns to help you reproduce period attire for 1607 through 1807. The patterns below (organized by time period) will help you create outfits for each member of your family. We’ve included links to sites that will help you find fabric as well. Pattern designer Jennie Chancey has also offered to help Jamestown Quadricentennial attendees via e-mail if they need assistance as they work on their outfits. You can reach Mrs. Chancey through the feedback form on her website. In addition, Melissa Keen, who has done extensive research on the clothing of the 1600s, will be available to assist with costume questions at stitchingthestandard@gmail.com. Be sure to watch Joshua Phillips’s Everyday News segment on how to create latchet shoes from contemporary shoes. His instructions are appropriate for both men’s and women’s shoes for Jamestown. Simple ballet flats or Mary Janes will work for the Colonial and late Federal eras for the ladies.

The paintings and photographs on this page will help you see how our ancestors would have dressed for everyday life from 1607 through 1807. They will also give you a good idea of the colors and fabrics used for clothing.

Paintings from the Jamestown Era (1607-1650s)

Portrait of Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, (attrib. to John de Critz, 1603)

Inigo Jones by Sir Anthony van Dyck

Milkmaid by Jan Vermeer

Lute Player by Gentileschi

Detail from a Tudor scene by Bermondsey

Photographs of Historical Clothing for the Jamestown Era

Woman in everyday work dress Photo by The Tudor Group. Used with permission.

Family in everyday dress. Photo by The Tudor Group. Used with permission.

Young woman in everyday dress. Photo by The Tudor Group. Used with permission.

Tailor in everyday outfit. Photo by The Tudor Group. Used with permission.

Patterns for Jamestown

All-in-one pattern for 1607-1630. Copyright Reconstructing History.

All-in-one pattern for 1607-1630, with breeches that can also be used for Colonial Era. Copyright Reconstructing History.

Girls’ all-in-one pattern for Jamestown AND Colonial Era. Copyright Fleur des Lyse Patterns.

Boys’ all-in-one pattern for Jamestown through Federal Era. Simply lengthen the breeches to the ankles and pair them with the short jacket for the late Federal Era! Copyright Fleur des Lyse Patterns.

Paintings from the Colonial Era

Mrs. John Winthrop by John S. Copley

Portrait of John Philip Haas by Charles W. Peale

Portrait of Martha Washington

Paul Revere by John S. Copley

Patterns for the Colonial Era

Ladies’ all-in-one pattern for a Robe a l’Anglaise. Copyright The Recollections of JP Ryan Patterns.

Gents’ Shirt can be worn with breeches from Jamestown pattern. Add the waistcoat below to complete the Colonial look! Copyright The Recollections of JP Ryan Patterns.

Gent’s waistcoat pattern. Copyright The Recollections of JP Ryan Patterns.

Paintings from the Late Federal Era

Portrait of a Woman by Henri F. Mulard, 1810

Rubens Peal with Geraniums by Rembrandt Peale

Self-portrait by Rolinda Sharples

Portrait of a Man by Boilly

Photos of Historical Costumes from the Late Federal Era

Photograph by Perrin Cottage Studios

Photograph by Perrin Cottage Studios

Photograph by A Thousand Words Photography

Patterns for the Late Federal Era (1790s-1820)

Copyright Sense & Sensibility Patterns.

Gents’ Tailcoat can be worn with breeches and shirt from patterns above. Copyright Wingeo Patterns.

Copyright Sense & Sensibility Patterns.

What about Fabric?

If you do not have fabric stores in your immediate area, you can shop securely for fabric online at the sites listed below. For all the time periods we’ve discussed here, you want to look for all-natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and wool. For the Colonial and late Federal Era, ladies’ fashions were often made of printed or embroidered materials. Gents’ clothing in the Colonial Era was quite colorful and much fancier than the sturdy clothing of the Jamestown Era. Late Federal clothing for gents is more tailored and less fussy.

Fabric Suppliers:

• ReproductionFabrics.com — Hundreds of cotton prints appropriate for the Colonial and late Federal eras for women’s and girls’ dresses

• The Fabric Club — Thousands of fabrics at discount prices

• fabrics-store.com — Linen at inexpensive prices and in all colors — perfect for Jamestown jackets, skirts, and breeches, as well as Colonial era everyday clothing

• Denver Fabrics — All types of wool