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A Nation Unraveled

During the American Civil War, clothing became central to the ways people waged war and experienced its cost. Through the clothes they made, wore, mended, lost, and stole, Americans expressed their allegiances, showed their love, confronted their social and economic challenges, subverted expectations, and, ultimately, preserved their history. As the collections they left behind make clear, Civil War Americans believed clothing was not merely a reflection of one’s class, gender, race, military rank, political ideology, or taste. Instead, Northerners and Southerners alike understood that clothing—from the weave of a fabric to the style and make of a coat—had the power to affect people’s way of living through the war’s tumult. In this lecture, Sarah Jones Weicksel discusses her new book, A Nation Unraveled: Clothing, Culture, and Violence in the American Civil War Era (University of North Carolina Press), a material history of war.  

The Research at Winterthur series, presented by the Library, Research Fellowship Program, and Continuing Education, showcases new projects and publications that tap into our rich collections and resources, unveiling innovative perspectives for exploring the fascinating stories that objects can tell about people and our shared past. Registration required. Included with admission. Members free. Lecture followed by book signing.

Register now.