The weather gods were on the side of the Sippican Lands Trust on Saturday, September 7, as blue skies prevailed just in time for the start of their Beer and Oyster Fest fundraiser at Silvershell Beach in Marion. There was significant weather monitoring the week leading up to the event as Hurricane Dorian made its way up the eastern coast, but nervous anticipation gave way to sighs of relief from event coordinators.

            Planning for this year’s fundraiser took the SLT in a slightly different direction from its 2013 Beach Bash. This time around, the focus was fun and food, specifically in the way of beer and oysters. SLT Board President Alan Harris shared that, as a non-profit organization supported by its members, this type of event leans toward celebrating those members and utilizing both local resources, as well as local open space.

            “It was great to get the support of the community for the Sippican Lands Trust,” said Harris. “We are trying to get people outside and connected with our lands and, apparently, one way to get connected is through your taste buds. Many of the oysters came from an oyster farm less than a half-mile from the event. This was a great way to celebrate Marion’s environment.”

            Dorian aside, the fundraiser faced another challenge a few weeks prior as the event was originally scheduled from 5:00 – 9:00 pm. Due to Eastern Equine Encephalitis concerns, however, the SLT found it necessary to change the time slot to 2:00 – 6:00 pm.

            The afternoon hours proved positive, as there were over 200 in attendance for the fundraiser, which featured local craft beer, local oysters, food from the Oxford Creamery “Oxcart”, music by the Dave Mitton Project, a cash bar, auction and raffle items, and games and activities for all ages.

            SLT Executive Director Jim Bride shared his excitement with the turnout. “I was delighted to see so many people attending the first-ever Sippican Lands Trust Beer and Oyster Fest in support of local land conservation in Marion,” said Bride.

            Funds from the event will help support the SLT’s general expenses.

            The SLT, in its 45th year, protects and maintains Marion’s natural areas while working toward acquiring additional spaces. Currently, the SLT is constructing a 1,800-foot long all-accessible trail at its Osprey Marsh property on Point Road.

            “We have many benefits from open space, like mental health from walking, improved air and water quality, and quality of life,” said Harris. Building on that philosophy, the SLT boardwalk will be the first of its kind in the region, a trail for all to enjoy, as it will allow access for those with mobility constraints.

            As the SLT looks ahead to future fundraisers, it appears the first Beer and Oyster Fest may not be the last.

            “It was a great celebration of the SLT on a beautiful, late summer Saturday afternoon,” said Bride. He also acknowledged the many involved with organizing the fundraiser, thanking all for their support.

            For more information about the Sippican Lands Trust, visitwww.sippicanlandstrust.org.

By Shawn Sweet

            On September 8, as part of the Mattapoisett Museum’s Annual Meeting, Abigail Field gave a presentation on the ever-changing world of female fashion with a focus on the decade between 1910 and 1920. Field, dressed in vintage clothing, including a corset she confessed to wearing, was an authentic representation of that classic image of womanhood from 1914.

            Field, a senior at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth studying history, has researched fashion trends over the centuries. During this presentation she noted that one fashion great, Paul Poiret, designed women’s clothing that allowed the woman to dispense with wearing a corset. “However,” Field said, “don’t be fooled. The corset became the girdle.”

            During and right after WWI, due to the ravages of war, France lost its hold on the fashion industry. The U.S. quickly filled the breach. As more and more women were needed in jobs outside the home, clothing needed to adapt to women’s changing roles in society.

            Field pointed to occupations women were doing, occupations that required a uniform, such as nursing or driving. Some jobs even saw women wearing pants! Field said that this trend towards militaristic fashions was a direct influence of war and infiltrated into clothing designs that had nothing to do with military service. “It was believed to be patriotic,” she said.

            According to Field, during this decade the evening gown became a canvass for fine art leading to fabrics and embellishments that were stunning in evening lighting. Early and mid-1900’s fashion designs were also borrowed from Russian peasant clothing. Tunics became a trend worn over long skirts, and Field said, “The silhouette of the Edwardian age gave way to slim skirts that fell to the top of shoes.”

            One of the most famous fashion mavens of the 19^thand 20^thcenturies was Charles Frederick Worth, Field stated. His contributions included turning the creation of clothing into an industry while also transforming women’s clothing for better comfort.

            Field discussed the wearing of mourning jewelry, pieces of wearable art often woven from the hair of a deceased loved one or containing the hair of someone who had passed away. Such keepsakes had for many decades been a common highly acceptable practice. Highlighting this point, she wore a black and silver necklace as part of her ensemble. It, however, did not contain hair.

            On the subject of mourning clothing, Field said that during this period of time people began to turn away from black for the purpose of demonstrating grief and began wearing white, as Field explained, “To quell the anxiety brought on by war.” To feed this new fashion trend, the U.S. became a primary exporter of cotton to the European markets.

            When asked if she thought the suffragette movement had an impact on fashion, Field’s response was no. While women were generally migrating towards clothing that didn’t inhibit physical movement the way large-layered Victorian and Edwardian clothing had, the quest for voting rights was not a factor in her estimation. Field does feel strongly, however, about the role of men versus women in the fashion industry, an industry she says is dominated by men. “If men make clothing, they are designers. If I embroider fabric, I’m a crafter – it’s not fair,” she stated. “It an all-boys club.” 

            Field is clearly in command of her subject matter. She also exudes a celebratory feeling towards clothing and the entwined history of societal conventions and fashions. She is clearly in her element when it comes to historical fashion. Her enlightened approach to the world of fashion is a fresh take on how the female form has been adorned since the earliest days of the houses of couture. You’ll have a chance to hear more when Field returns to the museum in October when she will continue her discussion of women’s clothing and the fashion industry. Visit www.mattapoisettmuseum.org for further details.

By Marilou Newell