The Nevada State Museum's Marjorie Russell Clothing and Textile Research Center is a study center for understanding historic costumes and textiles. The Center is open by appointment only, please call.
The Marjorie Russell Center is composed of the costume and textile collections of both founding institutions as well as the Jessie Pope costume collection from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Home Economics. The size of the collections is approximately 10,000 artifacts. Most significant is the women's collection which ranges from the eighteenth century to current day fashions. Other strengths are the quilt collection, hats, children's wear, political and ceremonial dress, flags, banners, and military and men's wear.
The purpose of the Marjorie Russell Center is to enhance the awareness of fashion history as it relates to society, history, and material culture. Dress is an important symbol, communicating historic trends, economic status of the wearer, and various ideals of beauty.
