Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail commemorates 200 years since the world’s first public steam locomotive railway, featuring historic garments, artefacts and artwork from the Pease family who pioneered rail travel in the North East.
The exhibition, which opens on 27th September, journeys from the early 19th century, when the railway arrived, to the end of the 20th century, a time when rail travel had become an everyday reality.
Visitors can explore how the beginning of the railway transformed not just transportation, but also personal style, artistic expression and social habits.
Edward Pease (1767-1858), often referred to as the father of the railway, played a pivotal role in founding the Stockton and Darlington Railway. In Dressed for Departure, visitors will be able to see items worn and used by members of his family. These include a train and track from the 1840s, which almost certainly belonged to his grand-daughters, and together form one of the first ever toy train sets.
The display also features a court suit (c.1860) belonging to his son Henry Pease (1807-1881), who served as a director of the Stockton and Darlington Railway and was instrumental in bringing the line to Barnard Castle and beyond.
Marking a significant moment, a guard’s coat donated by Mr Thomas Atkinson, who was the guard on the first train from Barnard Castle to Redcar in July 1856, is on show. Also on display is a commemorative medallion from 1893 which marks the start of construction of the Wear Valley Extension Railway while also recognising the role of Sir Joseph Whitwell Pease (1828–1903), who opened The Bowes Museum to the public in 1892.
Other highlights to look out for
Visitors will see posters advertising the railway, a copy of the painting, Opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (1871) with Locomotion no. 1 crossing Skerne Bridge painted by John Dobbin (1815-1888), and a map of County Durham from 1843 showing railway routes. The exhibition also explores how railway travel influenced leisure and fashion, particularly the development of bathing costumes and swimwear designed for seaside holidays.
Rachel Whitworth, curator of fashion and textiles at The Bowes Museum, said: “Dressed for Departure captures the excitement and transformation that railways brought to society, reflected in the garments people wore, the toys they played with and the places they visited. We hope visitors leave with an appreciation of how railway innovation has influenced all aspects of life, from the past to the present.”
The exhibition is part of the wider programme of a nine-month international festival taking place across County Durham and Tees Valley to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the first journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR).
Visitors can plan their trip and find further details about the display at thebowesmuseum.org.uk
