Head to Toe at the County Museum

Hats and shoes from the museum collections will be on display in a new exhibit, “Head to Toe,” at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands. The exhibit opens March 4 and runs through July 16. Curator of History Michele Nielsen will give a gallery talk introducing the exhibit on Sunday, March 5 at 2:00 p.m. The exhibit and gallery talk are free with museum admission.

“The museum has a wonderful and extensive collection of costume artifacts – clothing and accessories worn long ago,” said Nielsen. “A select group of these artifacts will be on exhibit. Artifacts like these can help us understand more about life in the past by illustrating how people dressed and why they wore particular types of headwear, footgear and accessories.”

At the gallery talk on Sunday, Nielsen will also introduce a new, interactive “Head to Toe” gallery cart full of things to try out related to the exhibit.

“Can you figure out how to wear a stovepipe or a Leghorn? What about sock garters or a cloche? In Head to Toe visitors will learn more about headwear and footwear from the past,” said Nielsen, “and even find out things like why people used to wear caps in the house and why sun bonnets were so huge!”

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays and holiday Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $6 (adult), $5 (student or senior), and $4 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.

The San Bernardino County Museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is (909) 307-2669 ext. 229 or TDD (909) 792-1462.