A Great Start to an Exciting New Year

The collection’s Spencer House exhibit was one reason Cornelia chose Maysville to debut her new book.

The promise of a new year always seems to add a touch of excitement to my thoughts. I anticipate the seasons, in and out of the gallery, and dream of new miniatures and their place in the collection. My mind always wanders to Castine and to friends old and new. But at this very moment, I am especially excited for February.

As many of you know, I am an Anglophile. I love all things relating to England. The fascination led me to commission Mulvany & Rogers to build Spencer House, the ancestral home of Princess Diana in 1:12 scale, long before I became glued to the television taking in Downton Abbey in all its historical detail. The architecture, the costuming, the amazing wit and demeanor of Maggie Smith, not to mention her posh delivery—it all intrigues me to no end. So when author and wedding folklorist, Cornelia Powell, chose Maysville to present Vintage Inspiration: The Brides of Downton Abbey, I could barely contain myself.

Cornelia has been a friend for many years. She once owned a vintage clothing and fabric shop in Atlanta, Georgia, and today she is widely regarded as a costume historian and speaker. She has written several books and will be signing her newest release The End of the Fairy-Tale Bride: For Better or Worse, How Princess Diana Rescued the Great White Wedding at the event, which is being held at the Maysville Country Club on Valentine’s Day.

If you’ve ever envisioned yourself wearing some of the sumptuous designs on Downton, you’ll want to make your reservation now. Cornelia has the insight, the imagery, and the inside scoop on the behind-the-scene’s activity straight from the hit drama’s costumers. And she does it with such panache you’ll feel like you are privy to some of the early 20th century’s best-kept style secrets. Did I mention she was a featured speaker at Winterthur during the prestigious museum’s “Costumes of Downton Abbey” exhibit?

Royal brides, fashion history, tiara legends and an intimate afternoon tea . . . why we’ll feel like we’re hobnobbing with the Dowager Countess of Grantham herself! Hope to see you there. All the details are in the invitation, but you’ll need to RSVP by February 10th.