Fancy fashions to be displayed

A new museum exhibition, "Dress Up!," will open at the Monmouth County Historical Association, Court Street, Freehold, on Sept. 19 and run through July 2007. Drawn from the association's own extensive textile collections, the show will feature about 50 special occasion dresses, suits and personal accessories such as shoes, hats and jewelry.

In addition, a selection of portraits, photographs, advertising cards and ephemera that illustrate fashion will be on view. Fashion mavens and history buffs alike will enjoy this opportunity to view rare examples of period clothing that reflect trends in style over time.

Among the clothing that will be included in the exhibition are: an amethyst brocade gown worn by a Monmouth County woman to a reception honoring William Tecumseh Sherman after the Civil War, and a dress of pale pink silk worn by a young Monmouth County girl to her first formal dance in 1840. The exhibition will bring guests into the 20th century with a Rudy Gernrich dress from the early 1970s.

The MCHA thanked Impact Unlim-ited Inc. of the Dayton section of South Brunswick for its assistance with the exhibition.

The Monmouth County Historical Association's Museum and Library is at 70 Court Street, Freehold. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The library is open Wednesday through Saturday. For membership or admission fees and further information, call (732) 462-1466 or visit www.monmouthhistory.org.