Hairworks Exhibit at Sibley House Minnesota (occupied 1836-1862)
Women in the 18th and 19th centuries used human hair to create lasting mementos of friends and family. This art form, known as hairworks, increased in popularity by the mid 10th century. Not all domestic artwork demanded the use of hair. Women also created wreaths make of wax, feathers, seeds, and other objects easily found around the house. "There is no more simple or appropriate mode of preserving a memento of a friend...it is a privilege to possess a very special and personal memento of hair." Ladies Fancy Work, 1867

The maker of this hair wreath incorporated glass beads into the design, as did many women who created Hairwork pieces during the height of this fashion craze, mid to late nineteenth century. (Pic # 116) . Agricultural or "seed" wreath made in 1860's by Mrs Miram Bigelaw. She also decorated the putty frame using molds carved by her husband. She collected the various seeds from their farm near Zumbrata, MN. (Pic # 114a, 115) This little book has hair ornaments attached to its pages' mementos of the family and friends of Marion P. Baughton who compiled them in 1850. Julia Chenowath Gilman, a grand niece of Marion gave this book to the Museum in 1914. (Pic # 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109) The woman who created this agricultural and hair wreath had used more than just seeds - she also used pieces of popcorn and little pompom balls. (Pic # 102, 103 ) Brooch made of brown coiled hair with a metal clasp. (Pic # 111) This piece belonged to Amanda J. Bragg. The locks of hair are encased in a glass and gold brooch with blue enamel. (Pic # 112) Brown coiled hairwork and metal pin and matching earrings belonged to Mrs. Nancy Comstock (Pic # 113, 114) Shell work wreath made in 1859 by Eleanor L. Young. Framed by St. Paul Chapel of DAR 1914. (Pic # 120) Hair wreath within a pine cone frame, both made by Katherine Kirby Jones at Chatham, NY. Date unknown - given 1932 and frame and glass added then. (Pic # 117, 118, 119) Feather wreath made about 1850 by Rose Hamil Hawson. The only investment that Rose would have had to outlay for her work of art would have been for the carved walnut shadow box. (Pic # 122, 123) A lock of hair encased in a gold brooch. Black enamel has been added to indicate mourning. (Pic # 110) The following are pictures from the Hairball workshop I attended in St. Paul MN: The Castle is a wonderful old hotel that is straight from Victorian times. (Pic # 58, 58a) These are view of a rare museum quality hair cap circa 1840. It was brought to Iowa from New York by Nancy Winslow Mason in 1856. (Pic # 60, 60a, 60b, 60c) We were taught to make flowers: Basic Flower (Pic 65) Flower with fill in (Pic 65a) Flower with fill in and stamen (Pic 65b) Glass Dome flowers (Pic 68, 68a, 68b) Hair flowers in an oval shadow box frame (Pic # 100, 100a) Agricultural wreath framed in square shadow box frame. (Pic # 102, 102a) Hair wreath in framed shadow box (Pic # 104)