Cavalcade’s founding members had the significant foresight to recognise the heritage significance of the collection by recording the provenance of acquisitions and retaining the name of the gown’s owner. Dedicated work of committed volunteers, with guidance from museum advisors, has enabled maintenance of a full schedule of community events and exhibitions whilst ensuring that the collection is co
nserved to the highest standards. The collection, through a ‘Museum without Walls’ philosophy, brings history alive with parades, presentations and displays & exhibitions. Our philosophy has inspired the public to donate family heirlooms. When each gown is donated, a record is made of the donor and original wearer’s history, where they lived, who their family was, where they wore the gown and what made the gown a family heirloom. The collection and associated provenance is an outstanding record of the social history of Australian women and their families, using fashion as a medium.
