Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Shippensburg University Fashion Archives and Museum visit

The Fashion Archives and Museum is pleased to announce the opening of Happy Birthday! American Milestones from Lafayette to Today. In conjunction with the 250th anniversary, this exhibition explores how Americans celebrated their independence in 1826, 1876, 1926, 1976, and includes fashions from each time. Visitors will enjoy the luxurious silhouettes of the eighteenth century, colonial revival fashions of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, right up to the flappers of the 1920s and groovy styles of the 1970s. Historic souvenirs and textiles from these anniversaries illustrate Americans’ growing appreciation of their history and how they commemorated the nation’s founding through an increasing number and type of souvenirs.

Fashion Archives and Museum Director, Dr. Karin J. Bohleke, noted that the museum was “very fortunate to receive object loans from the Renfrew Museum and Park in Waynesboro and from other private collections” that supplement the wonderful artifacts chosen from the Fashion Archives holdings. “Once again,” she added, “thanks to an outside grant, we have benefitted from the return of exhibit designer Charles Mack. We are very grateful to have obtained this generous external support that made it possible for Chuck to work with the Applied History students. It is a significant learning opportunity for them to see how a designer brings together all the elements of an exhibit.”

The Fashion Archives & Museum (FA&M) is located in the Davis House at Shippensburg University. It features an expanded collections storage area, an airy exhibit gallery, and a separate library to house the fashion reference collection.

Move about the museum at your leisure

Fee: $4

Pick up times are as follows:

Renaissance at Chambers Point 12:15PM, Life Center 12:25PM, Northgate 12:30PM

We will stop for Ice Cream on the way back at the Igloo in Chambersburg