Last Days of Clutch Exhibit

If you haven't been to the Museum of History and Industry (Mohai) to see the Clutch It!, The Purse and the Person exhibit you're running out of time. This exhibit was started from a single collection and now includes contributions from a variety of donors. They have an amazing patent leather zip purse in the shape of a shoe, bags from the turn of the century and everything in between. They even have archived pictures of Seattle's stylish women shopping at the old Fredrick & Nelson department store.

The Purse & The Person: A Century of Women's Purses brings together life stories as told through our handbags. This exhibition looks at purses from the inside out, examining day-to-day life reflected in a very personal, very female artifact—a woman's handbag. Eight exhibition vignettes examine iconic women of the 20th century, from the Edwardian matron to the Superwoman of recent decades. Glimpse into the lives of Edwardian matrons, flappers, wartime Rosie the Riveters, suburban housewives, hippies, businesswomen and more. The women of the 20th century reveal their personalities, their fashion sense, and their day-to-day concerns brought out in the mysterious depths of their purses.

What exactly was in your great-grandmothers handbag? You might be surprised. The exhibit runs through Monday, February 14th. For more information call 206-324-1126.