Dressing Downton at Cheekwood

I love clothing exhibits and this is a fun one, especially if you’re a fan of Downton Abbey (but even if you’re not). The TV show takes place in Britain between 1912 and 1925, and the Cheekwood mansion makes a great background for the period costumes. There's still time to see the exhibition - through September 17th. (Get into the Cheekwood Estate and Gardens free with many art museum or botanical garden memberships.) 

The exhibit is spread throughout the mansion and is juxtaposed with Cheek family belongings and photos showing their similar lifestyle (such as Huldah Warfield Cheek’s presentation to Her Majesty Queen Mary of England at the Court of St. James).

All of the costumes were made by the London costume house of Cosprop Ltd. Some of them include pieces, such as beaded panels, from antique garments.

You can see two antique cars on display in the Cheek family’s garage.

Costumes worn by Maggie Smith and Shirley MacLaine

A historic restoration of the mansion has just been completed with the return of much of the family's original furnishings.

You can use bell pulls on the other side of this board to ring the bells for the servants.

I loved seeing Mrs. Hughes’s household keys up-close!