The Friends of the Charlestown Branch Library, in conjunction with the Boston Public Library, presents Practical and Fashionable Dress of the Civil War Era with Barbara Menard Pugliese. Thursday, November 17, at 7:00 pm. At the Charlestown Branch Library, 179 Main Street, Charlestown, MA 02129. Free and open to everyone, with reception following. For more information: 617-242-1248, www.bpl.org/branches/charlestown.htm.

Barbara Menard Pugliese will present an illustrated lecture on the fashions of the Civil War era. At the time of the American Civil War, women wore the hoop-skirted silhouette that many remember from “Gone with the Wind.” For one thing, Pugliese will explain how and why women dressed that way!

Pugliese has spent the last two decades researching nineteenth century dress and teaching historic sewing. Her reproductions of Civil War uniforms and civilian clothing have been exhibited at the American Textile History Museum. Her blog -- http://recreating19cballroom.blogspot.com/ -- is a must read for anyone interested in this topic.

This lecture is part of the Boston Public Library’s citywide commemoration of the 150^th anniversary of the American Civil War. To learn more about all the events connected with this commemoration, visit www.bpl.org/civilwar.

Further background information:

Barbara Menard Pugliese, a resident of Medford, is a dance historian, costume historian, and culinary historian who is always looking for ways to bring historical knowledge to life. She is co-director of The Commonwealth Vintage Dancers (www.vintagedancers.org, with whom she also performs), teaches nineteenth and early twentieth century dance, and lectures on dance history, movement, historical clothing, etc.

The Friends of the Charlestown Branch Library was formed in 1953, becoming the second Friends group to organize within the Boston Public Library system. The Friends schedule four-six evening programs a year, support the Reading is FUNdamental programs for children, and maintain the library’s landscaping. The mission of the Friends remains today what it was in 1953: to serve as an advocacy and support group for the needs of the Charlestown Branch Library, its staff and users. (Source: www.charlestownonline.net/libraries.htm)