Bringing Civilization to the Frontier: The Role of Men's Coats in 1865 Virginia City, Montana Territory

This study focuses on men's coats recovered from the steamboat Bertrand to determine what men of Virginia City, Montana Territory, wore and how the coats reflected the society in which they lived. Diaries, letters, merchant account and day books, and 137 men's coats were primary source mat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clothing and textiles research journal 1998-01, Vol.16 (1), p.19-26
Main Authors: Meyer, Deborah J. C., Wilson, Laurel E.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:This study focuses on men's coats recovered from the steamboat Bertrand to determine what men of Virginia City, Montana Territory, wore and how the coats reflected the society in which they lived. Diaries, letters, merchant account and day books, and 137 men's coats were primary source materials. Content analysis of Virginia City photographs and museum artifacts indicates that the men of Virginia City, in their desire to obtain goods and services, cultural institutions, and social amenities familiar to them, made Virginia City a civilized city. The men's coats uncovered from the Bertrand reflected eastern fashion and social customs and played a role in bringing civilization to the Montana frontier.
ISSN:0887-302X
1940-2473
DOI:10.1177/0887302X9801600103