Warwick's Historical Society to host vintage clothing exhibit

WARWICK-Like the title of the song, it was the good old summertime and in those days, around the turn of the last century, all the ladies wore white. On Sunday, July 11, from 5 - 7 p.m., the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick will host a sneak preview of its summer whites exhibit entitled, "In the Good Old Summertime." The Society has an extensive collection of vintage clothing dating from the 1820s to the 1960s. The summer whites exhibit, which will be held at the historic Baird Tavern on Main Street is also designed to call attention to the annual opening of the Society's historic buildings. The buildings are open to the public on Tuesdays and Saturdays in July and August from 2 - 4:30 p.m. "They're seeing the light of day for the first time in a hundred years," remarked Betty Hurd, a committee member. On Saturday, June 26, Hurd and other members of the Exhibition Committee, co-chaired by Michael Bertolini and Marcela Gross, paraded the garments along Main St. They were moving them from the Society's 1810 House, where the valuable garments had carefully been placed on mannequins, to Baird Tavern, just a short distance away. As hard as it is to imagine today, Warwick ladies once wore these same bulky dresses when they played tennis or croquet as well as when they attended dances or garden parties. In addition to the summer white apparel, the Society will also display historic photographs, summer sporting goods and other items from the same period. Guests at the "In the Good Old Summertime" exhibit preview will also enjoy special hors d'oeuvres prepared by Michael DiMartino, award winning chef and owner of Warwick's historic Landmark Inn. Peck's Wines & Spirits will provide a selection of wine. Tickets can be purchased by mailing a check for $25 made payable to the Warwick Historical Society, P.O. Box 353, Warwick, NY 10990. They are also available at Newhard's Gift Shop or Peck's Wines & Spirits. For additional information call Marcela Gross at 986-9492.