Forever Jane
Celebrating the life and legacy of Jane Austen

May 6, 2017

Ballroom of the Woman's Athletic Club of Chicago
626 N. Michigan Avenue
(Enter on Ontario Street)
Chicago, IL 60611

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Morning:
“Mourning the Maiden and More: an introduction to English mourning fashions and customs of the early 19th century”
Presenters: Janet Messmer, Professor and Head of the Costume Technology Program for the Theatre School at DePaul University and Laura Whitlock, Member at Large, JASNA-GCR Board

Afternoon:
“Behold Me Immortal: Austen Fandom from Her Time to Ours”
Presenter:  Jeff Nigro, Program Director, JASNA-GCR

Plus:
-Quiz by William Phillips: “Who is there to mourn in Austen?”
-Morning Coffee and Tea
-Three-Course Luncheon

Gala Emporium Vendors:
Jane Austen Books
Bingley's Teas
Jeanne Steen's Regency Emporium Table
Janine Fron's Puzzles and Games
Laura Whitlock Millinery
Matti's Millinery and Costumes
Maureen Collins Jewelry
The JASNA-GCR Used Book Sale Table 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

“Mourning the Maiden and More: an introduction to English mourning fashions and customs of the early 19th century”

Janet C. Messmer, Professor and Head of the Costume Technology Program for the Theatre School at DePaul University and Laura Whitlock, Member at Large, JASNA-GCR Board

Laura Whitlock and Janet Messmer will combine their interests in history, fashion and social customs for a program outlining mourning attire and practices in use in England at the time of Jane Austen’s death. The Regency period was a time of change as regards mourning. The older ways of dealing with deaths, funerals and mourning were evolving for all classes of English society. Many of the businesses and customs associated with Victorian mourning, with which most of us are more familiar, were in their infancy or not yet in place. The presentation will attempt to address these changes and show how the Austen family decisions with regard to the passing of Jane Austen reflected their social status, time and place. 

Laura and Janet will illustrate their presentation with images from the early 19th century and examples of mourning jewelry and bonnets for members to see, handle, and perhaps even try on.

William Phillips will challenge us with a quiz: "Who is there to mourn in Austen?"

In the afternoon, Jeff Nigro, JASNA-GCR Program Director will present “Behold Me Immortal: Austen Fandom from Her Time to Ours”

People have been falling in love with Jane Austen’s novels from the moment they were first published, and devotion to her genius has only grown with time. Today’s Austen lovers will recognize kindred spirits among the Janeites of the past, whether they are relishing Austen’s sparkling wit, thinking of her and her characters as personal friends, or looking back nostalgically to her era as a lost paradise of civility and manners. More recently, the film adaptations have created legions of new fans, and led to an explosion of Austen-inspired literature and even commercial paraphernalia. GCR Program Director Jeff Nigro will take us a on a tour of the long, entertaining history of Austen fandom, from Regency royals and eminent Victorians to modern celebrity culture.

Our Emporium this year will offer tempting treasures from old friends and new: Jane Austen Books will return and will be joined by Bingley's Teas, Jeanne Steen's Regency Emporium Table, Janine Fron's Puzzles and Games, Laura Whitlock Millinery, Matti's Millinery and Costumes, Maureen Collins Jewelry and back by popular demand is our own JASNA-GCR Used Book Sale Table.

VENUE

Ballroom of the Woman's Athletic Club of Chicago
626 N. Michigan Avenue
(Enter on Ontario Street)
Chicago, IL 60611

Valet parking is available: $20 per car.

REGISTRATION

$80 Members and $90 Guests (Non-Members)