Corsets and Cravats in Person Summer Conference
August 1-3, 2025
Registration Opens at 12pm EST March 7, 2025.
$225 REGISTRATION INCLUDES:
August 1-3, 2025
Registration Opens at 12pm EST March 7, 2025.
$225 REGISTRATION INCLUDES:
- 4 LECTURES
- 2 LONG BREAKOUT SESSIONS
- 2 SHORT BREAKOUT SESSIONS
- COLOR CONFERENCE BOOK
- COLLECTORS' CORNER
- PORTRAIT OF INNOVATION: HISTORICAL FASHION SHOW
- PORTRAIT OF FRIENDSHIP: EVENING SOCIAL
- HIGH QUALITY VENDORS
Established in 2018, Corsets & Cravats strives to present well researched educational content on mid-19th century topics. Originally held in Newberry, South Carolina, we switched gears and went virtual in 2020. Since 2020, we have provided both in person and virtual content to attendees from across the globe. Our instructors are established history professionals from academic as well as museum fields. We strive to make history accessible to everyone through the examination of material culture and social history. At Corsets & Cravats, we dive into what people were wearing, reading, expressing, singing, using in their households, etc. We look into a full story of history not just one small group to the exclusion of other people. More history is always better than less history with more for us to learn and explore.
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Along with the serious history, we like to have a bit of costumed fun. Many of our attendees create quality reproduction period garments to attend the costumed portions of our events, but you never know when a dinosaur or a Viking may appear. We are proud to count among our instructors and attendees some of the best mid-19th century costumers in the United States, but don't let that scare you from participating. We are eager to help in your journey into historical costuming. We understand that people are in different stages of their journey into this exciting hobby.
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Our theme this year is Portrait of Innovation. The 19th century is filled with scientific discoveries and advances and beautiful works of art. This year, we will explore both the art and the science of the mid 19th century. The schedule this year is set up much as it has been in previous years with educational activities in modern dress during the day with costumed events in the evenings. This is not a full-dress or immersion event. Modern dress is encouraged for lectures and classes. Historical dress is not required at any weekend events.
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We are excited to return our 2025 event in Historic Oxford, North Carolina. Settled before the Revolution and incorporated in 1816, Oxford is a small town of about 8,000 people. History is everywhere in Oxford and the town is excited to host our conference. Its streets are lined with historic homes. The courthouse dates to 1838 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Recently featured in Southern Living and Our State magazines, Oxford is the home of the North Carolina Hot Sauce Festival. There are two historic walking tours through the town and plenty of free parking. If you choose not to walk, don't miss the drives down College, Main, Front, Spring, Gilliam, and Military Streets to view some really spectacular historic homes.
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Most of our classes and lectures this year will take place at Oxford United Methodist Church. Established in 1812, the church moved several times until settling on this beautiful location in the center of town. The sanctuary was built in the 1870s. Friday and Saturday, our lectures and classes will take place in the brand new fellowship hall as well as the education building. (Please check for handicapped accessibility, we have at least 3 classes every session with accessibility.)
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The Harris Exhibit Hall of Granville County History Museum will host Collector's Corner and the vendors this year. Located behind the Granville County History Museum located in the old jail, the Harris Exhibit Hall is letting us take over this year. Collector's Corner will fill the museum galleries and our vendors will fill other areas in the museum. Although open all weekend, we have scheduled specific times for you to visit the galleries and vendors.
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Portrait of Innovation: A Historical Fashion Show, Portrait of Friendship: An Evening Social, and our Sunday Lectures will take place at The Orpheum Theatre in downtown Oxford. The Orpheum Theatre, a fully restored 1920's theatre, is the premier event venue in downtown Oxford.
All three locations are in the heart of this charming little town and have plenty of free parking. |
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Registration includes 4 large group lectures and 4 breakout sessions. The breakout sessions are classes, not workshops, and you may not finish your projects within the weekend. Additional class or kit fees are noted where relevant. Instructors will provide you with a list of necessary materials before the event weekend. Breakout sessions are intended to give attendees better access to instructors to ask more questions and learn skills more difficult to teach to a large group.
Oxford is now home to a lovely little new tea house/bookshop called Angel Wings Bookstore. We are partnering with them to bring tea back to Corsets & Cravats. Thursday afternoon there will be 2 seatings for high tea. Enjoy a variety of delicious tea and traditional tea foods in a lovely historic setting. You are more than welcome to wear period dress. If you are a member of the Corsets & Cravats book club. Angel Wings will have a selection of our upcoming books available for purchase. Angel Wings Bookstore is located 205 Williamsboro St. in Oxford.
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Corsets & Cravats has a conference book like no other. The book contains 300+ pages of handouts and references from the event. It has full-color pictures and relevant information instructors want to make sure you have access to after their classes. You get information on all classes, not just the ones you attend. Registering for the weekend is the only way to get this book!
If you are interested in advertising in the Corsets & Cravats book, please email [email protected] for more information.
If you are interested in advertising in the Corsets & Cravats book, please email [email protected] for more information.
Another great feature of attending Corsets & Cravats is being able to see extant items on display in Collectors' Corner. Collections of antique garments from the mid-19th century and other items will adorn the Harris Exhibit Hall of the Granville County Museum starting on Thursday afternoon July 31, 2025. We are grateful to all of the generous collectors who have shared portions of their collections with us in the past! We are already coordinating this year's displays. They will not disappoint!
(If you are interested in sharing some of your own interesting antique items, please email us at [email protected].)
(If you are interested in sharing some of your own interesting antique items, please email us at [email protected].)
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Our annual fashion show will be held Friday night at the Orpheum Theatre with proceeds going to support the Granville County Museum. This year's theme is Portrait of Innovation. Like last year, it will be a real fashion show with a runway and attendees seated on either side facing the runway to better see costumed participants. Participants in Portrait of Innovation: A Historical Fashion Show will either be in the balcony of the theater to watch the fashion show or in the bridal suite. Both locations will allow participants to watch the show!
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This year's theme is "Portrait of Innovation" which allows attendees to share impressions of paintings and technology from the mid-19th century. Use your research skills and find a painting or technological innovator from the 19th century. Have you always admired a 19th century portrait? Here is your chance to recreate it. Would you like to tell the story of a little-known scientist or inventor? Teach us! Last year, we had everything from a ballerina to a pipe fitter. Use your creativity.
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There are plenty of opportunities elsewhere to show your military impressions, please think outside the box and do something different. Corsets & Cravats has the right to refuse participation in Portrait of Innovation: a Historic Fashion Show to people whose clothing might be deemed offensive by others. Attendees wishing to participate must submit outfit descriptions in advance of the event weekend for planning purposes. Group submissions welcome.
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Our social event this year for attendees only is Portrait of Friendship. We are asking participants to help with the entertainment. Would you and your friends like to present a tableau vivant? Choose your favorite historic painting and recreate it for us! Please submit your ideas to the planning committee by July 15, 2025. Submissions must be approved.
The event will take place Saturday night in the Orpheum Theatre for participants and their guests only. Snacks and drinks will be served. Appropriate dress required. Period dress preferred. No military impressions. |
Our vendor area consistently provides only the best in historical wares. Our past vendors include Timely Tresses, Corner Clothiers, Amazon Drygoods, C. Read Apothecary, Blessed Bee Herbals, Merrick Custom Leather, Past Reflections, Beth Miller Hall, Ortega Trading, and others. Our vendor area will be set up in the Granville County Museum and Timely Tresses Studios for the entire weekend.
If you are interested in being a vendor at Corsets & Cravats, please email us. Space is limited with preference going to past vendors.
If you are interested in being a vendor at Corsets & Cravats, please email us. Space is limited with preference going to past vendors.
Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel your registration, you must do so before July 1, 2025 to receive a refund. A $40 cancellation fee applies to all cancellations. Registrations are transferable.
If you need to cancel your registration, you must do so before July 1, 2025 to receive a refund. A $40 cancellation fee applies to all cancellations. Registrations are transferable.