Clarke Historical Museum
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Picture
Picture

The Pearsall Collection

Hettie May Wilson, born in Eureka in 1874, married Clarence E. Pearsall in 1898 and they became wealthy through timber sales around this time. The couple lived in a house on Second Street. This magnificent collection of clothing from the 1910s to the 1930s reflects the family's wealth. On display are a mint green riding coat, a blue velvet opera robe, a blue silk day dress, a tiered lace and net tea dress, a pink beaded ball gown and more. All these clothes are made of the finest silk, lace, and wool. Also on exhibit are photos of the family, some personal effects and photos and blueprints of their home.

The Clarke Museum thanks the Petitt family for donating this fantastic collection as very few items of clothing from this era has survived. The quality of materials, care and styling that went into this collection is simply amazing. From the lace afternoon dress and the pink silk tea dress to the green wool opera coat and two-piece worsted wool riding suit, clearly May Pearsall was an elegant and stylish woman of exquisite taste.
Clarke Historical Museum
240 E Street
​Eureka, California 95501
admin@clarkemuseum.org
(707) 443-1947
Open Tuesday-Sunday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Monday

​Open until 8:30 p.m. during Friday Night Markets
Open until 9 p.m. during Eureka Arts Alive
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