Dress
PeriodCirca 1915-1918
Place MadeU.S.A.
MediumCotton velvet, cotton, wool
Dimensions50 in. (127 cm)
ClassificationsCostume, Women's
Credit LineGift of Miss Anna M. Betz, 1968
Object number2024.505
DescriptionA woman's one-piece dress of heavy purple cotton velvet, with a subtle woven vertical stripe pattern. The gown has a low square neckline with attached pale pink wool collar, decorated with a woven black "chain link" guimpe trim. The bodice has soft gathers along the top of the yoke, attaching to a wide waistband. The dress's long sleeves are somewhat full in the upper arms, tapering to the black lace-trimmed wrists which fasten with hooks and thread loop eyes. The skirt extends to above the wearer's ankles, in a flaring A-line silhouette. Large artificial jet buttons are sewn in two vertical rows down the bodice and skirt front. The gown fastens with steel hooks and thread loop eyes down the back. The bodice is lined with lightweight white cotton gauze.NotesThis purple velvet day dress was owned and worn by Miss Anna M. Betz. Born on March 4, 1885 in Clinton, New Jersey, Betz was one of four children of Frederick and Kate Betz. Betz worked as a trained nurse in Newark before World War I. During the War, Anna Betz served in the Overseas Hospital Corps from July of 1918 to July of 1919. After she returned, she worked in the Social Service Bureau of Harlem Hospital, eventually serving as Director until her retirement in 1953. Betz never married and visited her parents often after they moved to Leonardo in Monmouth County, New Jersey, spending vacations and summer holidays there. She was a charter member of the Army of the Potomac Chapter, Monmouth County, of the Daughters of the Union 1861 - 1865 organization, serving as the Chapter's librarian and later as its regent. After her death in March of 1972, Betz left $18,000 to the Monmouth County Organization for Social Service (now the Visiting Nurse Association). The Association has another gown worn by Miss Betz, accession 1999.511.
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