Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses have opened the Summer Dress exhibition at Gallier Historic House to reveal a seasonal decor change in keeping with the period of the home. See it for yourself this Thursday, August 1st beginning at 10:00 a.m.!
Per the 19th century and earlier tradition, heavier materials in the home were swapped out at the start of summer for cooler fabrics. By removing thick drapes, rugs, and blankets and replacing them with linens, gauze, and mosquito netting, this practice offered much-needed relief from the sweltering heat and humidity of the summer.
Furniture that was often covered in expensive velvets and damasks would have been slipcovered in linen to remain clean and feel cooler to the touch. Windows were mostly open throughout the house for ventilation and breeze; however, this provided new complications of dirt and insects. Valuable items such as paintings, chandeliers, and clocks were wrapped in gauze for protection.
Mosquito netting was also a seasonal necessity, as instances of Yellow Fever and Cholera often flared in the summer months, and New Orleans was not known for its sanitary conditions in the 1800s. At Gallier House, guests will enjoy this decorative and functional transformation while on tour.
The downstairs parlor has exchanged heavy fabrics for breathable materials to show visitors how much of the home needed seasonal changing or protection and how labor-intensive this process was. Upstairs, the children’s room features straw matting to cover the floor and linen bedding, another standard practice of Summer Dress.
The Summer Dress exhibition runs through September 3rd. Gallier House is open on Thursdays through Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with tours on the hour until 3:00 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.hgghh.org.
Step outside of our welcoming and comfortable community at Brookstone Park Apartments in Covington, Louisiana for the day! This event is coming to town on Thursday, and it promises to be a wonderful time!
Event Time/Date:
Thursday, August 1, 2019—10:00 AM
Event Venue Location:
Gallier Historic House
1132 Royal Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70116