Learning about 16th century period clothing

If you are planning to celebrate Florida’s 500th anniversary next year in 16th century style, Historic City News readers are invited to attend “Fabrics of Change: 16th Century Culture through the Decades”, a free public lecture, fashion show, and period clothing workshop on Saturday, October 27.

The lecture begins at the Pioneer Barn of Fort Menendez located at 10:00 a.m., followed by a period fashion show at 11:00 a.m.

“Fabrics of Change”, will discuss the clothing of the Spanish conquistadors, Florida’s first colonial settlers and Florida’s native populations.

It will show changes in clothing styles through the decades between the claiming of Florida for Spain by Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513, to the founding of St Augustine by Pedro Menéndez de Aviles in 1565, to the raid on St Augustine by Sir Francis Drake in 1586.

12:00 Box Lunch available – $8.00 fee

After lunch, there will be a workshop where you can choose from a variety of hands-on activities from making period clothing to looking at armor.

For those who want to delve deeper into 16th century culture, beginning at 1:00 p.m. and continuing until 4:00 p.m., a hands-on period clothing workshop will be held. Attendance is free. $10.00 materials fee for participants.

Participants must pre-register for lunch and to participate in the workshops, which includes:

• Learn how to make a Toile
• Learn how to make a Braies or a Chemise
• Arms and armor demonstration
• Discussion: developing your persona

“During that time clothing styles changed as dramatically as they did in the 20th century,” says workshop coordinator, Elizabeth Neily of Gulfport, FL.

For more information about this free program and to register for the afternoon workshops and box lunch contact Elizabeth Neily at office@floridafrontier.com or call 727-744-7051 or www.floridafrontier.com.

The mission of First Florida Frontiers (a company of the Historic Florida Militia) is to celebrate Florida through art, storytelling, music and special events. This program is presented in partnership with VIVA Florida 500. Funding for this program was provided through a grant from the Florida Humanities Council with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities and a generous contribution from the Old Florida Museum.