Exhibit Opening & Gallery Tour – Creations of a Morristown Irish Dressmaker
Join Curator of Collections Anne Motto for the opening and tour of Morris County Historical Society’s new exhibit, Designed by Dempsey: Creations of a Morristown Irish Dressmaker.
Mrs. R.F. (Catherine) Dempsey (1850-1931) in many ways broke the pattern of a turn-of-the-century dressmaker. Her longevity alone was unusual, with a career that spanned at least 40 years, marriage, and children. Like many of her local colleagues though, she was the daughter of Irish immigrants. At a time when dressmaking was the third largest occupation for women and a rare opportunity at female entrepreneurship, she designed and created dresses for Morristown’s well-to-do ladies out of her home, labeling her work to mark it as her own. One of the best-represented local dressmakers in museum collections, six of her elegant creations form this exhibit. Free with museum admission. Exhibit on display through July 14. (See the full exhibit listing here)
