A century and a half ago, extravagant costume balls and skating carnivals were the pinnacle of society entertainment, bringing forth a kaleidoscopic array of fanciful costumed characters. But, beneath all the anachronistic exuberance, these balls reinforced core myths of colonial destiny and imperial futures.

This exhibition captures the splendor of entertainment where, for just one evening, guests transformed themselves into characters inspired by history or fantasy. The invitation to reimagine oneself as an alter ego was no less than an opportunity of a lifetime, occasioning study, expense, and a trip to the photographer’s studio. Costume balls: dressing up history, 1870-1927 tells an extraordinary story, showcasing some of the most extraordinary objects in the Museum’s collections.

Rarely do visitors get a chance to see so many garments from the nineteenth century —that have survived in spite of being created to last a single evening— in an exhibition space. And rarely do we see captured in photography such a lighthearted side of life from a time where public presentation of the self was a most serious matter. The exhibition fully explores the tremendous scale of the efforts to commemorate these balls, which in itself will surprise visitors, making clever use of digital technology all while taking a critical look at the way these grand events helped reinforce imperialist myths.

Costume balls: dressing up history, 1870-1927, will open on November 14, 2024, 100 years to the day of a large costume ball held on November 14, 1924, at the Mount Royal Hotel in Montreal. Presented by La Presse and in collaboration with College LaSalle Montréal, a member of LCI Education, the exhibition is running until August 17, 2025.

Extraordinary objects from the Museum’s collections

Over 40 dazzling outfits worn will be on display as well as photographs of guests in costume, souvenir publications and more —that capture the spirit and prestige of these grand events. This exhibition and the accompanying publication represent the culmination of a research effort which draws on the quintessential strengths of the McCord Stewart Museum’s rich collections. Many remarkable discoveries, unveiled to the public for the first time.

A beautifully illustrated book

The book Costume balls: dressing up history, 1870-1927, co-published by 5 Continents Editions and the Museum, explores a treasure trove of over 40 extant garments that capture all the immediacy of a series of historically-themed balls held primarily in Montreal and Quebec City. With lavish detail photography juxtaposed with archival images, it brings into conversation curators and conservation experts from the Museum who delve into minute details of extant material culture to reveal unexpected histories and connections.

Cynthia Cooper offers current insight into the appeal of dressing up at this historical moment and the foundational myths at play in the choice of historical figures. Jonathan Lainey looks at the way extant objects from Indigenous cultures were deployed in fictional representations of the “Indian”. Zoë Tousignant explores the popularity of composite photography as a means of recording these costumed spectacles. Caterina Florio describes the challenges involved in restoring the impressive number of outfits featured in the exhibition.

(Under the direction of Cynthia Cooper)