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Women's Domestic Artistries: 1860-1910

Farm House Museum
February – October 2025

Crazy quilt

Women’s Domestic Artistries invites visitors to view historical craft traditions of the Civil War and Victorian Era. The art and crafts featured in this exhibition serve as touchpoints in a long history of female artistic production and tradition, tracing the histories of gender norms, creativity, expression, and identity of women as leaders in the creation of objects for home decoration, commemoration, art, and meaning in their lives.

The exhibition will highlight domestic artistries produced by women from 1860 through 1910 including quilting, tramp art, mourning art / hair work, illustration, sewing, pottery, painting, taxidermy and more through primary source objects from the permanent collection.

 

Exhibition Programs

Find full descriptions of programs on the University Museums Calendar. All programs are free and open to the public. Registration is  not required unless noted. Events listed below will be at the Farm House Museum (601 Farmhouse Lane, Ames, Iowa) unless otherwise noted. Times are Central Standard Time. Programs are subject to change. Check the University Museums Calendar and Facebook page for the latest events information.

Hair in the Home: Tracing hairwork’s trajectory from professional service to domestic craft

February 13, 2025, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (US Central)

Location: Virtual on Zoom

with Sandra Klowak, hair artist and owner of Corporeal Curios

The Victorian era saw the production of hair memorials move from the hands of a small group of professional artisans to those of women in the home. With Klowak, explore the factors influencing this change, from the evolving Victorian value of sentimentality to anxieties over mass production.

Virtual on Zoom. Registration required to receive the Zoom link information.

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Victorian Hair Art Workshop: Crafting a hair flower keepsake

February 23, 2025, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (US Central)

Location: Virtual on Zoom

With Sandra Klowak, hair artist and owner of Corporeal Curio

In this virtual 2-hour workshop make a 5-petal flower from hair, based on the traditional hairwork technique used to create framed hair wreaths in the 1800s.

Virtual on Zoom. Registration required to receive the Zoom link information.

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Curator’s Tour: "Women’s Domestic Artistries 1860–1910"

February 27, 2025, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM (US Central)

Location: Farm House Museum, 601 Farm House Lane

Accompany Farm House curator Allison Sheridan to take a look at the newly installed exhibition and delve into the influences of women’s creative talents in the home from 1860 to 1910.

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Victorian Date Night at Farm House Museum

April 18, 2025, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM (US Central)

Location: Farm House Museum, 601 Farm House Lane

Do you want to date like a Victorian? Join University Museums staff and interns at Farm House Museum for a festive journey into 19th century society, featuring a costume contest, an introduction to Victorian era dance, crafts, refreshments, and more! Victorian-inspired costumes are encouraged!

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Visit the Farm House Museum

Hours: Monday–Friday, noon–4:00 p.m.
Closed Saturday, Sunday, and University holidays & breaks
Click here to see when the museums are closed.

Address: 601 Farm House Lane, Ames, Iowa
Admission: The cost is free; however, there is a suggested donation of $8.


Funding for the exhibition and associated programming is generously provided by Carol Pletcher. 

© 2025 University Museums, Iowa State University. All rights reserved.