Watson's Mill adds historic flare to annual Women's Day

By Emma Jackson

EMC news - Watson's Mill is taking retro to a whole new level with a vintage women's fashion exhibit in honour of Manotick's Women's Day on Nov. 3.

The display will showcase women's fashions from 1700s France all the way to 1940s North America over two weekends in November.

Along with items from Watson's Mill, the exhibit will include original and reproduction outfits from Nepean Museum, Vanier's Museoparc, Goulbourn Museum, Osgoode Township Museum and the Rideau Township Historical Society.

At least one original wedding dress from the late 1880s will be on display from the Osgoode Township collection. Museoparc will also supply six reproductions of French dresses from the 1700s, which were made in 1984 for Vanier's city council to wear in an Ontario centennial parade.

The exhibit will be open in the Mill's Carriage Shed the weekends of Nov. 3 and 4 and Nov. 10 and 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Mill manager Isabelle Geoffrion said the exhibit is the museum's way of participating in the village's annual 'girls' day out'. Women's Day is organized by Manotick's business improvement area every fall and includes special in-store deals, free samples and entertainment throughout the village as women check out the many boutiques and restaurants.

"Since we're open and this is happening, I thought 'Let's do something kind of fun to participate in Women's Day,'" Geoffrion said.

The exhibit will double as a donation centre for used clothing, which will be passed on to a women's shelter yet to be determined.

"Since (women are) going to be adding things to their closets, we thought why not make some room first, to pare down and pass on some of those older pieces of clothing," Geoffrion said.

Growing event

Manotick's Business Improvement Area director Donna Smith said adding Watson's Mill to the Women's Day lineup is a perfect fit.

"I think it showcases the uniqueness of the historic village. We're so fortunate that we have Watson's Mill because it just helps round out what Manotick is about and how we've preserved the quality of our history," Smith said.

Also new this year, two roaming musical groups will entertain on the streets of Manotick while the women shop and eat.

Sax Appeal, a saxophone quartet, and Peter Voith's acoustic trio will roam the village at different times providing music that Smith hopes will add to the festive feel.

Business owners will have deals, giveaways and samples, and Smith said the first 800 women who arrive at the event will receive a gift bag of manicure supplies, makeup brushes and a makeup bag.

But in the end, Smith said she hopes the women take away something even more important - a good impression of the village.

"The day is to have the ladies come out and have a good time, and give an opportunity for businesses to showcase themselves and show all the unique, great things they have to offer," she said.

For more information visit www.manotickvillage.com.