From a professor’s office to the basement of Horton Hall, and finally to its own property, the Fashion Archives and Museum of Shippensburg University has traveled a long way.

What SU Foundation Board of Directors Chair Joel Zullinger described as the unwanted stepchild has now been adopted, as the Foundation officially opened the new location on March 29, with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

“For years it was the unwanted stepchild of the university because what do you do with it and where do you put it,” Zullinger said.

Many came to welcome the new location and new inaugural exhibit at 501 N. Earl St. Speakers for the ceremony included SU President George “Jody” Harpster, Zullinger; James Mike, dean of the colleges of arts and sciences; Karin Bohleke, Fashion Archives director; Robin Howells-Dolbin, Fashion Archives board of directors chair; Steven Burg, history and philosophy department chair; Emily Bach, SU applied history student; and John E. Clinton, president and CEO of the SU Foundation.

“We are thankful for those behind the scene better known as behind the seams,” Bohleke said.

Multiple speakers mentioned gratitude toward two specific people who helped the archives. Clinton began the ceremony by describing the journey of the archives, which was started by Elizabeth Jane Thompson, a former SU professor.

“I know Liz would be beside herself to see the collection today,” Harpster said. “Please enjoy this through the years as a wonderful addition to our campus community.”

Speakers also thanked Dora Green-Addams, a long-time volunteer and major donor to the archives. Because of her contributions, the foundation recognized her by naming the gallery Dora Green-Addams Exhibition Gallery.

“She is a longstanding volunteer who has worked on preserving and repairing the collection,” Zullinger said. “She is a perfect example of what one person can do who is committed to a wonderful cause.”

The gallery currently holds wedding fashion and is titled “Walking the Aisle in the Latest Style: Wedding Fashions from the Eighteenth Century to Today.” The exhibit holds more than 200 years of gowns and accessories.

“I feel I accomplished something and will offer even better in the future,” Green-Addams said. “I feel as if I finally got my 15 minutes of fame.”

Eventgoers were able to explore the new location and the exhibit. Students and faculty raved about the importance of the accessible location, not just for the community, but for education.

The facility will impact the college significantly by providing student and faculty research, internships and more, Mike said.

Having the facility impact education was a vision of Thompson. She believed that fashion helped to understand sociological issues as well as gender, culture and class.

“We give our students the power to discover the world again through the medium of clothing,” Burg said.

The current exhibit will run through Dec. 15 and is open to the public Monday through Thursday 12-4 p.m. or by appointment.

“It seems very fitting that as we go into spring, which represents new life and growth, that we are welcoming the new exhibit,” Howells-Dolbin said.

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