New exhibit at Sea Cliff Village Museum to focus on the textiles that helped create Sea Cliff

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The Sea Cliff Village Museum will unveil its newest exhibit in late February, a celebration of textile artistry and craftsmanship spanning the 19th and early 20th centuries. The exhibit, which will remain on display through July, offers visitors a glimpse into the sewing and embroidery traditions that were once central to daily life.

“This exhibit is a bit of a departure from our previous art-focused themes,” said Courtney Chambers, the museum’s director. “We’ll be showcasing quilts, hand-knit and crocheted collars, embroidered cuffs, hems, and other handmade items from our collection. These artifacts tell a story of local talent and creativity that thrived here in Sea Cliff.”

The museum’s textile collection skews toward the late 19th and early 20th centuries, aligning with Sea Cliff’s history as a seaside resort. One standout piece is a newly donated quilt from the Carpenter family, which dates back to the 1820s. “This quilt is not only beautiful but also deeply connected to the area’s history,” Chambers said.

Other items include intricately embroidered garments, vintage sewing kits, and dresses made or embellished by Sea Cliff residents more than a century ago.

“We’ll display dresses where women added their own embroidered cuffs and collars to change their look,” Chambers explained, “reflecting a time when people personalized their clothing rather than buying new outfits.”

The museum is inviting local residents to contribute artifacts to the exhibit. Barbara Bell, a longtime Sea Cliff resident, has already offered items from her family’s collection, which dates back to the 1870s.

“We love when people lend us pieces,” Chambers said. “It enriches the exhibit and often brings in new stories.”

Chambers encourages anyone with handmade items, such as scarves, collars, or dresses, to contact the museum.

“Sometimes people have treasures tucked away in their attics—things made by their ancestors right here in Sea Cliff,” she added. “Those items can add so much to the exhibit.”

The exhibit not only highlights the beauty of handmade textiles but also sheds light on a bygone era.

“It’s fascinating to see how people in Sea Cliff, just 25 miles from New York City,” Chambers said, “made their own clothes or added personal touches to store-bought items.”

Sea Cliff’s history as a close-knit community is evident in its former businesses, such as Hawkshaw’s, a shop on Sea Cliff Avenue where residents purchased sewing patterns, ribbons, and other supplies.

“Looking at these textiles helps us understand how different life was back then,” Chambers noted. “It’s a window into the resourcefulness and creativity of our community.”

The textile exhibit will open in late February and run through July, giving visitors several months to explore the collection. The museum plans to close in August to prepare for its next exhibit.

While the theme of the textile exhibit reflects a focus on local craftsmanship, Chambers shared that the museum has exciting plans for future displays. The museum is currently considering an exhibit on movies filmed in Sea Cliff and preparing for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, which will likely feature a comprehensive history of Sea Cliff.
Chambers is particularly excited about the interactive and educational potential of the textile exhibit.

“The hand-knit cuffs and collars are some of my favorite items,” she said. “They’re a charming reminder of how women dressed up their clothing with simple but elegant changes.”

The Sea Cliff Village Museum invites the community to visit this “sweet exhibit” that celebrates the artistry of textiles while offering a fresh perspective on the village’s past. For more information or to inquire about lending items to the exhibit, contact the Sea Cliff Village Museum at SeaCliffMuseum.org or (516) 801-3401.