The Filson Historical Society Digital Projects

Geneva H. Bell Textile Collection

Title

Geneva H. Bell Textile Collection

Subject

Textiles.
African Americans--Kentucky--Louisville.

Description

The textiles of Geneva Howard Bell (1905-2013) became a part of The Filson’s museum collection in mid-2015. Geneva was the wife of Dr. Jesse B. Bell, a nationally-recognized physician and prominent figure in Kentucky’s African American community. Dr. Bell was the first African American physician to practice at Jewish Hospital in Louisville. Both Geneva and Dr. Bell worked tirelessly to improve health and education for Kentucky children. Geneva was an active member of Mount Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church and a teacher in the Louisville Public School System.

The collection consists of twenty-eight pieces varying from shift dresses to hats, accessories and outerwear. The items represent fashions from the 1960s-80s and are a wonderful compliment to the Jesse B. Bell Photograph Collection (006PC5); Jesse Bennett Bell (1904-1998) Papers, 1924-1998 (Mss. A B433 1-21); and the Dr. Bell portrait (1999.13.1). The textiles were processed in May 2015 by Filson volunteer and museum professional Jennifer Spence.

The following gallery highlights only a portion of the collection; researchers may visit The Filson and view the remaining items digitally through PastPerfect, The Filson’s museum software database.

Creator

Bell, Geneva

Source

Geneva H. Bell Collection

Publisher

The Filson Historical Society

Date

ca. 1960-1980s

Rights

This image is issued by The Filson Historical Society. Property rights in the collection belong to The Filson Historical Society. The user is responsible for copyright issues. Permission for use of this image for ANY reason should be obtained by contacting Filson's Curator of Collections via research@filsonhistorical.org.

Format

dresses (garments)

Type

Still Image

Collection Items

  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2015.28.21a-image-1_web.jpg

    Navy, double-breasted knit jacket by St. John Evening. The jacket is sailor inspired with nacy and white viscose rayon fabric on the collar and cuffs and gold acetate trim with gold sequins. It is a knit jacket made of 80% wool and 20% viscose rayon. The jacket features a shawl collar and a detachable bib with shiny white acetate trim and small gold dots. The bib is made of the same wool and viscose rayon fabric as the jacket and is secured by two snap button closures. There is a decorative shaft button on each cuff and three buttons each on the left and right front sides. Each button is round and tiered with a gold back and a raised center. The buttons each have a white ring followed by a gold ring encrusted with crystal, a navy ring, and a gold center also encrusted with crystals. A cloth fabric label with the designer's name and size is sewn in on the inside. Dress size is 12. Dry cleaner tags are attached via plastic fasteners on the cloth label and detachable bib. A fabric label with fiber content and care instructions is sewn at an inside seam on the proper left side.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2015.28.20-image-1-_web.jpg

    Suede beret constructed from eight triangular panels of mauve suede. The interior lining as well as the band is made of bright pink nylon or rayon material.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2015.28.18-image-2-_web.jpg

    Headband scarf kerchief from Hawaii. The pink side is printed with Hawaii iconography including tropical flowers, fish, pineapples, a hula dancer, a woman water skiing, a sailboat, and male native Hawaiian figure. Included are silhouettes of the Hawaiian Islands and place names. All items are printed in moss green and black ink.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2015.28.17-image-1-_web.jpg

    Rayon blouse with a draped neckline and back zipper closure. The blouse has dotted, all-over pattern of black oblong or flower petal shapes outlined in a copper brown color.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2015.28.10-image-3_web.jpg

    Bespoke coat of light pink suede with a matching polyester/rayon lining made by Utah Tailoring Mills. A single large button on pearlized light pink plastic is sewn at the front opening.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2015.28.10-image-2_web.jpg

    Bespoke coat of light pink suede with a matching polyester/rayon lining made by Utah Tailoring Mills. A single large button on pearlized light pink plastic is sewn at the front opening.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2015.28.10-image-1_web.jpg

    Bespoke coat of light pink suede with a matching polyester/rayon lining made by Utah Tailoring Mills. A single large button on pearlized light pink plastic is sewn at the front opening.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2015.28.5a-image-2_web.jpg

    Tailoring label for the custom-made shift dress by Utah Tailoring Mills that features two polka dot patterns. The dress has long cuffed sleeves and two ties that can tie around the neck into a bow. There is back zipper and bright red lining for the dress. A tan leather belt accompanies the dress. The label says the dress was custom-made for Geneva Bell.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2015.28.5a-image-1_web.jpg

    Custom-made shift dress by Utah Tailoring Mills that features two polka dot patterns. The dress has long cuffed sleeves and two ties that can tie around the neck into a bow. There is back zipper and bright red lining for the dress. A tan leather belt accompanies the dress.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2015.28.4-image-2_web.jpg

    This long, collarless jacket custom made by Utah Tailoring Mills has plaid and checkered patterns of red, green, and blue intermittent with gold chains and acanthus leaves on a black ground. The neck opening, front opening, and two front pocket flaps have black piping. Pockets are false. Buttons are a gold-colored metal with a ridge pattern, similar to a basket weave.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2015.28.4-image-1_web.jpg

    This long, collarless jacket custom made by Utah Tailoring Mills has plaid and checkered patterns of red, green, and blue intermittent with gold chains and acanthus leaves on a black ground. The neck opening, front opening, and two front pocket flaps have black piping. Pockets are false. Buttons are a gold-colored metal with a ridge pattern, similar to a basket weave.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2015.28.3-image-3_web.jpg

    Sequined and beaded evening jacket with silver sequin discs sewn all over the garment. The direction of the sequins changes in spots, most notably on the sleeves and upper back. The cuffs, waist, front opening, and neck opening are finished in a band of s
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2015.28.3-image-1_web.jpg

    Sequined and beaded evening jacket with silver sequin discs sewn all over the garment. The direction of the sequins changes in spots, most notably on the sleeves and upper back. The cuffs, waist, front opening, and neck opening are finished in a band of sewn-in gold cylindrical beads.
  • https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2015.28.1a-image-1_web.jpg

    This custom dress is a knit faux-wrap style dress of rose colored synthetic fabric and gold metallic thread. The dress has a V-neck front opening, elbow length sleeves, and a removable rose pink belt (2015.28.1b). The skirt is a simple A-line with pleats at the waist on the front and back. There is a 3-inch hem finished with cream colored lace on the inside. A simple rose pink slip (2015.28.1c) accompanies the dress.
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