Category: For Charity

Abolitionist pin holder and purse or workbag, 1825-30

Sentimental (and often condescending) imagery and poems meant to garner sympathy for the enslaved were often used on items sold at abolitionist fairs. These items predate such fairs but are early examples of what English abolitionists donated to American fairs in the 1830s to assist women in the American abolitionist movement.

Silk, cardboard, pins. Made by the Ladies’ Society for the Relief of Negro Slaves. Birmingham (England). Gift of Margaret Merritt Broecker, 82.137.2-.3

SEWING FOR CHARITY: BAZAARS and FANCY FAIRS

Women were criticized for their involvement in “unladylike” commerce when they started holding charity bazaars in the 1830s. Nevertheless they persisted, and such events became common and profitable. They paved the way for women’s organization of Sanitary Fairs in both North and South during the Civil War, which raised millions of dollars to support hospitals for the troops.

The novelty craft projects which proliferated in ladies’ magazines were popular offerings, as were sewing accessories such as needle books and pin cushions. Dolls, often with extensive wardrobes, were popular raffle items.

Clockwise from upper left: 

Stuffed-dog pen wiper, cotton velvet on wool, 1850–1900, DAR Museum, 2017.9

Blue silk plaid needle case, 1840–1870, gift of Anna Oldin Reed, 2868.4

Perforated paper watch pocket bound and backed in silk, about 1850, 91.194.3

Abolitionist pin disk, silk, made in Birmingham, England, 1820s, gift of Margaret Broecker, 82.137.3

Pen wiper with china doll’s head, silk velvet, wool, glass beads, 1850–1875, gift of Mary Augusta Rand, 4115

Doll, 1864-1865, ceramic, silk cotton, leather, gift of Mary Augusta Rand, 4119

SEWING FOR CHARITY: WOMEN’S SEWING SOCIETIES

The Fragment Society, one of the earliest sewing societies in America, was founded in 1816 to make clothing and linens for Boston’s urban poor. It continues today, mostly purchasing children’s clothing and infants’ layettes; but each layette includes a hand-made garment to continue their 200-year tradition. 

Baby’s “Saque” gown, cotton, unknown maker, 1880-1900

Infant’s knitted sweater, acrylic, made by Cynthia Chapman, 2023.

Lent by the Fragment Society