Tartan Day on Ellis Island

[M. A. C. Newsome]

The three day exhibit "Celebration of Tartan" on Ellis Island was a huge success. I'll write more about it later when I have a moment. But I did just want to post this quick picture.

As men who wear the kilt can tell you, women are always asking to have their photo taken with you. Who can say no? :-)

One very famous lady was very insistent that she be photographed with me yesterday, on the last day of the exhibition.


Many more pics to follow....

[CMcG]

You were wise not to argue with an insistent lady who is so much larger than you

Looking forward to more pics...

<snip>

One very famous lady was very insistent that she be photographed with me yesterday, on the last day of the exhibition.


Many more pics to follow....

[piperdbh]

That Lady has good taste in tartans!

[McClef]

Yes she does even though she lives on a neighbouring island!

[Galician]

True, but you have to stop on hers to get to Ellis Island, so it's only polite to pay one's respects.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I finally had time to upload more of my photos from the three day exhibition on Ellis Island. For those who don't already know, the special exhibition ran from April 1-3 and was the first activity to kick off "Tartan Week" in New York. The Clan Currie Society has put together a special exhibition on Ellis Island for Tartan Day for the past ten years.

You can learn more about it (and read about past exhibitions) on this web site:
http://www.tartandayonellisisland.com/

This year's exhibition was specifically on tartan, and entitled simply "A Celebration of Tartan." Bob Currie, president of the Clan Currie Society, who is also a board member of the Save Ellis Island Foundation, invited the Scottish Tartans Museum to participate in the exhibition.

I flew into New Jersey on Wednesday night so that I could be available all day Thursday to help set up the exhibit, which was open to the public Friday through Sunday.

First off, here are some photos of the exhibit itself.

The exhibit included about 15 mannequins displaying a wide range of tartan clothing, from traditional Highland dress to Hollywood, children's, adults, modern couture, evening dress, military dress, etc. It featured a good range of all the possible uses of tartan, past and present.





The large panel you see in the last photo, featuring "The Highlander" is one of eleven panels made for this exhibition. Each panel featured interpretive text on one side, describing some aspect of the story of tartan, with a full sized photo on the opposite side, generally of some famous example of someone wearing tartan.

Here are some of the other panels, which were arranged throughout the exhibition area.



Each panel is independent and the panel next to it does not necessarily relate to its neighbor.


A lot of women were having their photo taken next to "Sir Sean" this weekend!


Although a lot more people were posing for pictures next to Mel!



There were two ways to approach the venue area. If you came in from one direction, this is what you saw.


Whereas if you approached, as most did, from the registry room, you saw the first introductory panel to the exhibit.


More to follow.....!

[Jack Daw]

Wow, I didn't know that this has been an annual exhibit for the last 10 years! Cool.

[cessna152towser]

Fabulous photos Matt.
Such a superb choice of venue for the exhibition.

[JSFMACLJR]

Matt,
What a splendid doublet! I assume it belongs to Bob Curry.


What can you tell me about it? Who made it?

Thanks!

Sandy

[McConnell Mor]

Matt,
What a splendid doublet! I assume it belongs to Bob Curry.


What can you tell me about it? Who made it?

Thanks!

Sandy

My question is the same.....any knowledge on its origins?