Christening gowns over the decades

By Lilly O’Gorman
IT’S not difficult to understand why Jean Sawyer became display co-ordinator for the Lang Lang and District Historical Society.
With her own private museum in her Lang Lang home, she has no trouble not only co-ordinating, but providing the collections of memorabilia on display in the Historical Society museum.
The small museum is bursting with news clippings, old photographs of prominent Lang Lang residents and sporting teams, collections of beautiful costume jewellery and, of course, a meticulously curated display from Jean’s personal archive.
At the moment, visitors to the centre can come and see 11 dolls, some as antique as the clothes they are wearing, in a collection of christening gowns spanning 150 years.
The display, called ‘Christening Gowns and their History’ contains beautifully preserved, tiny white gowns dating all the way back to 1860, and a gown worn by Jean’s own great grandmother.
Far from just identical white dresses, the gowns range from a fine silk and hand crocheted piece with a matching bonnet from 1890 to a knitted 1950s creation which, Jean explains, came from England where, “it was very cold and sometimes babies would be christened in the snow.”
Jean became display co-ordinator for the Lang Lang Historical Society since she moved to the town and became a member in 2006. Before that, she held the same position at Ballam Park Homestead, Frankston. It is a position that allows Jean to share her passion with the wider community, as the museum she has set up at home isn’t open to the public except for visits from local community groups by appointment.
Over the years, she has regularly trawled opportunity shops and gathered a variety of items “from quilts to computers”.
Her more significant hauls include a huge 600-strong collection of egg cups and almost as many fans.
She also speaks fondly of a ‘space pen’ which was passed down to her after first being handed to a family member by an American diplomat.
It is clear that many of her personal items hold fond memories for Jean, and a historical significance and educational value that she is keen to share.
Christening Gowns and their History is on display until Easter at the Lang Lang and District Historical Society, 1 Whitstable Street, Lang Lang, open every Sunday from 1pm to 4pm.
Visitors can also see the society’s newest addition, an organ donated last month by the late Mona Mynard, a foundation member of the society.