Diary of Ann Manigault Taylor

Things can often be rediscovered in a museum, especially one as old as ours. Recently a diary was found in the Archives. This diary belonged to Ann Manigault Taylor, the only daughter of Joseph Manigault, who owned the Joseph Manigault House. In it she describes the background of the Manigault family and includes some little stories about her father. This particular entry was written December 20, 1843, shortly after the passing of her father, Joseph, and she dedicated it as a memorial to her father.

“My Father used to say to the children ‘Once upon a time at Geneva, I hired a horse for a ride_ he was an ill tempered animal, and managed to slip the bit out of his mouth_ I drew him in but he only ran the faster_ At last I perceived he was going headlong down the road to a river, when suddenly he darted into a garden gate that was open, & there continued coursing round & round_ A French Gentleman & Lady were walking in the garden_ they were amused, but every time the horse approached them, the Frenchman took off his hat & made a low bow & I, not to be outdone in politeness returned the salute. When the horse was tired he stopt.’ This story was a favorite with us.”

Fashion Try-on Photos

We all had so much fun at Saturday’s "Civil War Living History Event: Fashion Try-On," held in conjunction with Threads of War: Clothing & Textiles of the Civil War. Our friends from the Carolina Ladies Aid Society brought a plentiful supply of dresses and accessories for women, coats and hats for the men, and period style outfits for the children. They helped Museum visitors dress as they would have in the mid 19th century. Nearly 100 people came between 10:00 and 1:00, donning hoop skirts and Civil War uniform coats and posing for their own cameras or the museum photographer.

Set in front of a draped backdrop, these modern people were transformed into solemn civilians or soldiers of the Civil War period. They discovered the joys (or woes) of wearing a big hoop or heavy wool coat and perhaps felt just a little bit different than when they arrived in blue jeans and t-shirts.

Here are some of our favorite photos from the event

Civil War Living History Event: Fashion Try-On

This event has passed: See the "try on" photos from this Event 

If there is one period of women’s clothing that is easily recognizable by most people, it is the mid-19th century. Those wide hoop skirts and tiny waists send us immediately to a time punctuated by the tragedy of the American Civil War. Visions of Scarlet O’Hara can’t help but intrude on our minds and the desire to float through a room in one of these elegant dresses is strong. The current exhibit at The Charleston Museum, Threads of War: Clothing and Textiles of the Civil War, displays some of these astonishing garments and the special program this Saturday will satisfy those urges.

Carte-de-Visite

General Robert E. Lee

General Ulysses S. Grant

Carte-de-Visite
Carte-de-Visite photographs (CdVs) were small photographic prints mounted on cards 2 ½ by 4 inches, a successor to engraved “calling cards.” These small albumen prints were exceptionally popular for approximately twenty years. They hit their peak popularity around the time of the American Civil War.

The format was an international standard – a first – so people knew that no matter where their friends and family might be, these “card portraits” would find a place in their albums. Their popularity was also due to the ease with which they could be sent (or carried) as there were no bulky cases or fragile glass. The fact that they were relatively inexpensive certainly did not hurt either.