Dress in a Weekend: Phillis Wheatley

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Watch the construction of an 18th-century English gown in only one weekend!

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Add to Calendar 03/04/2023 09:00:00 03/04/2023 17:00:00 America/New_York Dress in a Weekend: Phillis Wheatley

Watch the construction of an 18th-century English gown in only one weekend!

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Become a Member for Free Admission

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Watch Historical Dressmaking

Mount Vernon’s historic costumer, Kathrin Breitt Brown, and journeywoman mantua maker Brooke Welborn of Burnley & Trowbridge, will complete the gown and petticoat using hand stitching and 18th-century techniques.

Witness the fine detail needed in creating clothing using historical methods, including cutting, fitting, and finishing.

The finished gown will be used by character interpreter Timbila Kabre for a variety of programs, including her depiction as Phillis Wheatley.

Phillis Wheatley

"Phillis Wheatley, Negro Servant to Mr. John Wheatley, of Boston." Engraved frontispiece to Wheatley's "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" (1773).

"Phillis Wheatley, Negro Servant to Mr. John Wheatley, of Boston." Engraved frontispiece to Wheatley's "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" (1773).

Born in West Africa in approximately 1753, Phillis was kidnapped and sold into slavery at seven or eight years old to an American family, the Wheatleys.

Taught to read and write, Phillis displayed a talent for poetry, having a collection of her works published, including a poem entitled “His Excellency George Washington.”

General Washington received this poem and wrote to Phillis from his headquarters outside of Boston in praise of her “great poetical Talents.”[1]

The gown is based on the engraving of Phillis, sitting at a table, quill in hand, writing. This copperplate engraving was the frontispiece for her book, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773).

From George Washington to Phillis Wheatley, 28 February 1776 https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-03-02-0281

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