Conversations with a Curator: Understanding and Caring for Aged Textiles and Clothing

If you've ever been handed down an old piece of clothing or discovered such a treasure in an attic or closet, you've probably had a variation of this thought: "What is one to do with an interesting textile or an intriguing and maybe wearable relic?"

Alda G. Kaye, who became the curator of a large university historic costume and textile collection, has worked with faculty, students, museums, and other institutions for almost thirty years. She's even been knighted for her work at a Newport, Rhode Island, mansion that houses a collection of textiles from the medieval and Renaissance periods. She shares fascinating stories from the field and, along the way, provides insights for collectors, individuals conducting research on their own collections, and the everyday person who has stumbled upon a vintage garment that could actually be worn.

Historical societies, small house museums with limited budgets, antique dealers, those with a keen sense of fashion, and anyone who wants to preserve the unique and beautiful will be riveted with the stories, surprising adventures, and practical guidance in Conversations with a Curator.

Alda G. Kaye is a textile specialist, educator, historian, and designer experienced in conservation, preservation, restoration, and exhibition of historic textiles and costume and interior furnishings. She has served as a consultant for museums, historical societies, and other groups, offering expertise on the care and display of textiles, storage facility design, and collection management.