ABSTRACT
One of the key components to a strong historic interpretation program is accurate costuming. For many historic site visitors, the accuracy of costuming is as important to their experience as overall interpretation of the site itself. Carrie Fellows and Heidi Campbell-Shoaf discussed some of the decisions to make when developing or revising a site costuming program. Involving staff and volunteers in the wardrobe maintenance provides obvious savings and pride in the new resource. Keeping them involved by asking them to serve on the oversight/review committee will maintain another level of ownership, by building pride in what they've helped create. The "Eye" is the ability to recognize period details and translate them into reproductions. Democratic decisions by a peer group guided by the lead staff member or consultant will help diffuse misunderstandings and little upsets when someone is told they can't wear their Great-Aunt Polly's 1930s flour sack apron with their 1870s wrapper dress.
