The Gray's - new statue on Great George St., Charlottetown

     The other evening I was downtown and posed with the new statue of Father's of Confederation John Hamilton Gray, Premier of PEI and John Hamilton Gray, a New Brunswick politician, as they might have conversed in 1864.  
     The bronze statue was made by Nathan Scott of Brentwood Bay, B.C. and located on the east side of Great George Street in front of the Inns on Great George Street -St. Dunstan's Basilica church is in the background.

Annabelle and I

    Here I am with Annabelle - she's sitting on the "0" of the big 2014 at Confederation Landing in Charlottetown!

Here's the rest of us!

1864 Display at Confederation Court Mall

    I was asked to supply period clothing for a display at the Confederation Court Mall in the area that connects to the underground passage to the Confederation Center of the Arts.  Here's a link to their Facebook page including their photo and quote...

https://www.facebook.com/concourtmall/photos/pb.142700265797650.-2207520000.1411577139./721405494593788/?type=3&theater

     Here's their quote that goes with this posting on August 29th...
     "Glorious period costumes from Arnold Smith are on display at The Confederation Court Mall lower level.  Also on display is an 1800's music box.  Happy Founder Week!"

Townspeople greeting the Father's of Confederation

     I was asked to gather a collection of 14 people and outfit them in period clothing to represent the townspeople of Charlottetown as the re-enactment of the arrival of John A. MacDonald coming ashore at the foot of Great George Street for the Charlottetown Conference, September 1864. 
     Here's the photo of the folks I gathered together for the re-enactment.  This Guardian newspaper photo appeared on their website later that day, August 30th...

...along with this photo of John A. MacDonald arriving.  Here's the link...

http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/News/Local/2014-08-30/article-3853981/William-Henry-Pope-statue-unveiled-at-Peakes-Quay/1

Below are a few photos of the day taken by Carter Jeffery.

A few of the folks I gathered together had their own costumes.

At the Celebration Zone

     This summer we had a costume display at the Celebration Zone at the Charlottetown Waterfront in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Father's of Confederation Conference.

  Here I am with our period dresses.

     I presented a few talks and my sister Anita did demonstrations weekly.

Below is Anita with her daughters Angela and Willeen and her granddaughter Annabell.

1864 Clothing Display at "Olde Home Week Exhibition"

     I was asked to provide a clothing exhibit in the 1864 Exhibit at the provincial Olde Home Week Exhibition in Charlottetown.  Here's a few photos.

Crochet at Sharpe-Smith Home

     I had a few friends over on a nice summer's afternoon to play crochet in 1864 period clothing - fun was had by all!

     My friend Carter, on the far right, set-up these photos - great to see them in colour and B&W.

Guardian Newspaper Front Page 1992

     Thanks to my friend Stacy for giving me a copy of the August 27, 1992 Guardian newspaper which shows me front page putting my hat on Premier Harcourt's son.

Review of Period Fashions - 1864 and Beyond

AN EVENT ORGANIZED BY THE I.O.D.E. AND THE WATERMARK THEATRE, HOSTED BY ARNOLD SMITH.

     We had a great time at The Watermark Theatre on Saturday evening with our period fashion show.  

     The evening started with a vignette from the new Watermark Theatre play, "What to Wear to the Birth of a Nation".

     The fashion show was narrated and presented by myself.  The first period dress to be modeled was worn by Prince Edward Island's Lt. Governor's wife, Her Honour, Mrs. Frank Lewis.  During the show we saw many dresses and outfits made by myself and my sister Anita.  In addition to our fashions were the dresses created and modeled by many of the people who took the period costuming class (taught by A.B. White and myself) at my house last winter.  We ended the fashion show portion of the evening with Gracie Finley modeling a light yellow gown I made for my sister Vivian.

     The next item on the agenda was Intermission - an opportunity for those attending to see displays; mingle with models and see them up close; and to have tea and dessert served by the ladies of the I.O.D.E 

     The last item on the agenda was Period Dance - English and Scottish Dance and Quadrilles presented by the Beaconsfield Assembly Dancers.

     We had a great evening with a full theatre - thanks to all who participated.  
     Below are photos from the evening.