# No One Wants to Remove My Clothing . . . **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 19, 2004, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082 "2004-10-19T18:47:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/1 "2004-10-19T18:47:55Z")
I have a smallish collection of (mostly) 20th-century clothing and accessories (I’ll print out a list if anyone’s interested, though it’s kind of long). It belongs in a museum or historical society or college (if they promise not to use it in productions!). But no one wants it. All the museums and historical societies I’ve contacted say they’ll take what they want—one or two of the “best” pieces. I hate eBay with the red-hot (you know the rest) . . . I’ve e’d Christie’s and Sotheby’s and neither have gotten back to me. I don’t want this stuff to end up in the Dumpster when I die, it needs to be preserved in a museum-quality environment! Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/2 "2004-10-19T19:02:47Z")
I know three historical societies, but they’re very locally-oriented. You might contact the Smithsonian to see if they’d be interested in your collection. Failing that, if you don’t plan on kicking the bucket in the immediate future, my honorary grandsons have an 11-year-old male cousin who is intensively interested in historical artifacts – not in a “boy” way, but in a scholarly-for-his-age way of being intrigued by what people wore and did in past times. (In many ways he’s another “Kevin” if you are familiar with that book.) Wait until he grows up; Barb and I have plans to guide him into a curator-trainee program presuming (as seems likely) that he keeps that interest; and I’ll ensure you and he make connections. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/3 "2004-10-19T19:04:43Z")
Space is a big (and legitimate) reason. The Phila. Museum of Art said, “We just don’t have the storage capacity to take any donations which might replicate things we already have.” Fully understandable, but not much help to _me_. ---
**Author:** ![Gamaliel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b487fb/32.png) [@Gamaliel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gamaliel)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/4 "2004-10-19T19:05:56Z")
A decent historical society or museum should have made at least a token effort to help you find a place that will take the collection. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/5 "2004-10-19T19:06:52Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > All the museums and historical societies I’ve contacted say they’ll take what they want—one or two of the “best” pieces. I’d agree to let them have two of the “best” pieces. Every one of those museums and historical societies would get two pieces that you say are the “best” ones. Who’s to know? ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/6 "2004-10-19T19:15:00Z")
Snerk – those who **are** willing to “remove **Eve** ’s clothing” only want “one or two pieces.” 😃 If that isn’t a sad commentary on American social life, **whichever** way you take it, I don’t know what is! :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/7 "2004-10-19T19:15:24Z")
Problem is, some of the “not-best pieces,” which no one wants, still need to be preserved, as someday they will be rare, ancient museum pieces: 1940s and '50s day dresses, a 1950s Madras bathing suit, kicky '50s hats (these are the “common” things no one wants). _Everyone_ wants the 1930s Jean Harlow gowns and the 1914 tango frock, of course . . . ---
**Author:** ![Caricci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Caricci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caricci)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/8 "2004-10-19T19:16:16Z")
I have a friend who has had the same problem with some Gibson girl blouses he tried to donate to the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art’s Costume and Textiles department (he’s an alum). Sadly, the pieces were destroyed in a fire. Nevertheless, you might try them. What he had may not be what they wanted, but that might not be the case with you,\*\* Eve\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/9 "2004-10-19T19:45:10Z")
So don’t kick in for another twenty years, and then everyone will want your stuff. Right? ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/10 "2004-10-19T20:02:38Z")
You could try the museum at Kent State University in Ohio. They specialize in fashion and decorative arts. Here’s there donation page - near the bottom under ‘Donating Objects’ there’s an email for the curator you can use. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/11 "2004-10-19T20:28:20Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > You could try the museum at **Kent State University** in Ohio. They specialize in fashion and decorative arts. Here’s there donation page - near the bottom under ‘Donating Objects’ there’s an email for the curator you can use. “Jean Harlow and Diors coming **Eve** ’s clothes in O-hi-o” — CSNY, slightly modified ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/12 "2004-10-19T20:35:30Z")
Obviously we just need to build our own damn museum. We’ll charge $25 bucks a head. I can provide a collection of vintage movie posters and I have some unique art made by my cat. (OK they are hair balls) Anybody else want to set up a wing in the Museum of Dope? ( **Eve** will run the place so just mail your junk to her.) ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/13 "2004-10-19T20:37:04Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > “Jean Harlow and Diors coming > **Eve** ’s clothes in O-hi-o” > — CSNY, slightly modified If you’re going to do it, go a bit further;) Jean Harlowe and Diors coming Old swimsuits worn in Rio I hear the derby hats calling Eve’s clothing in Ohio Gotta get dressed up in it, Fashion cops cutting us down '58 derby on my head. What if they found us in Jean Harlowe’s 1930 gown? …get that tango frock off the bed! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/14 "2004-10-19T20:38:55Z")
Dude, I thought for sure you were running nekkid through _this_ thread. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/15 "2004-10-19T20:51:39Z")
> [@iampunha](#): > > If you’re going to do it, go a bit further;) > > Jean Harlowe and Diors coming > Old swimsuits worn in Rio > I hear the derby hats calling > Eve’s clothing in Ohio > > Gotta get dressed up in it, Fashion cops cutting us down > '58 derby on my head. > What if they found us in Jean Harlowe’s 1930 gown? > …get that tango frock off the bed! > > 😃 Treat your clothing well; You cannot tell When you will need them – And so display yourself, Like on a shelf; Don’t let them weed them! And you know they love you… ---
**Author:** ![Yamirskoonir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/c0e974/32.png) [@Yamirskoonir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yamirskoonir)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/16 "2004-10-19T21:16:14Z")
**Eve** , I work at the library at my university institution, and our Special Collections/Archives can be called “eclectic” at best. We already have several items of clothing in the collection that have no real connection to the campus or its history. We also have the records and scrapbooks of the school’s Women’s Club, and the Student-Wives Club, which were in their heyday from the 1940’s-60’s. Since each club used to put on an annual fashion show, I don’t think our archivist would be _too_ adverse to accepting at least a few items, to display in conjunction with our campus history collections. E-mail me if you’re interested, and I’ll be glad to send you more info! Yamir ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/17 "2004-10-19T21:26:59Z")
Done, and done. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/18 "2004-10-20T02:38:32Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Treat your clothing well; > You cannot tell > When you will need them – > And so display yourself, > Like on a shelf; > Don’t let them weed them! > > And you know they love you… I’ll pack the shoes you go and get the flapper dress from the hanger where it’s stored Staring at those clothes for hours and hours while you put them on twirl about all night long for me only for me Put those clothes on and model them for just a minute then rest by me everything’s okay The hat boxes are resting nicely over by the shawls and fur Clothing for you only for you Those clothes are some very very very fine clothes With such a pretty girl who dresses and who twirls now everything is easy 'cause of her… [sub]I would never disgrace Eve by running naked through one of her threads.:)[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/19 "2004-10-20T03:13:49Z")
> [@iampunha](#): > > I’ll pack the shoes > you go and get the flapper dress > from the hanger where it’s stored > Staring at those clothes > for hours and hours > while you put them on twirl about > all night long for me > only for me It’s getting to the point where I can’t dress anymore (my closet’s full) Sometimes I’d like to give it all away (except my Dior) I wear yours you wear mine we wear what we wear And we wear it well-ell-ell ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082/20 "2004-10-20T03:38:14Z")
Something happened to this thread; what it is, ain’t exactly clear! There’s a woman with a wardrobe over there, telling us she wants to be bare. Yeah, I know it doesn’t fit the meter, I just threw it in FWIW! 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-wants-to-remove-my-clothing/270082.md?page=2)