Undergarments Exposed in Latest Scott County Historical Society Exhibit

“If you look at a little thing called underpants, you get a look at history,” says  Director Kathleen Klehr.

Whether the history you'll find in underpants is recent or distant, underpants are also current—as the focus of the Historical Society's new exhibition, “Under Where? Unmentionables Exposed!”

Corsets made with metal, along with panniers, petticoats, bustles and brassieres are just some of the undergarments on display at the Historical Society in Shakopee.

Most of the items are from Scott County, although a few are on loan from the Hennepin History Museum.

While little is known about what ancient peoples wore for underwear, Klehr said, people began wearing it in the Middle Ages for added warmth in winter, to protect skin from harsh and scratchy wool outerwear and to protect that outerwear in return—from the dirty bodies beneath.

Underwear became part of the visible fashion of the Renaissance, played a role in altering the body to an ideal shape and even influenced the design of furniture. The metal that had gone into eyelets and other features of underwear was put to use by the military during World War I. That savings of 28,000 tons of metal, Khler said, was enough to construct two battleships.

Visitors to the exhibit's opening reception, Nov. 17, couldn't help but relate their own stories. Jane Thom of Prior Lake recalled that her mother, from her hats to her hose, never once wore a pair of pants. 

“I think it’s unbelievable what they wore,” Thom said. “To have my mother get ready to go took hours.”

Thom herself remembers, in the 1950s, wearing several bell-shaped crinoline petticoats under her skirts to school.

“Now, you just throw on whatever you have,” she said with a laugh.

There are only a few items of men’s underclothing in the exhibit. Klehr surmised most men simply wear their underwear to tatters.

There is also some historic advertising on display for both women’s and men’s underwear. One illustrated ad features the headline “Underwear for Fat Men,” with a description and prices of fancy French undershirts and matching drawers. Another seems to be a full page of corsets and another shows a version for young girls.

“Society, technology, history—it’s all rolled up in your knickers,” Klehr said.

Those wanting to get a glimpse of the undergarments will find them toward the back of the Historical Society. Staff is currently prepping for another exhibit in the larger area called "Rituals of Life & Death: Marking Time" to open Jan. 26.

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WHAT: “Under Where? Unmentionables Exposed!”

WHERE: 

WHEN: Through May 5, 2012

COST: $4 adults, $2 students, free for children 5-under.

INFO: scottcountyhistory.org or (952) 445-0378