# Event Details - **Event Name**: Open Gallery Hours: "Fans, Fashion, and Feminsim" at Wistariahurst Museum - **Event Start and End Date**: Mon, 27 Apr, 2026 at 10:00 am – Tue, 19 May, 2026 at 06:30 pm (-04:00) - **Event Description**: Come view Wistariahurst's collection of hand fans and fashion from the Victorian era through the 20th centuryAbout this EventWistariahurst Museum is delighted to announce that April 21st- May 19th, it will exhibit, reveal, and demonstrate the secret language of the Victorian hand fan. The event will feature an exhibit of beautifully crafted fans and a live demonstration of how “fan language” was used to communicate without speaking a word.Although hand fans were a “must-have” fashion accessory for women of the time, they also marked the beginning of women’s determination to free themselves from the oppression of the patriarchy and the overzealous eyes of chaperones during the Victorian era. Attendees will learn how the simple hand fan helped energize women to pursue greater independence... walking without a male escort, riding a bicycle, redesigning fashion, and demanding control of their everyday lives.About the CuratorDeborah Long is a volunteer at Wistariahurst and an enthusiastic participant in the museum’s events, projects, and ongoing activities. One project was to reconcile the linen closet’s contents with the inventoried list of items kept there. While examining each item in the various drawers and cupboards of the closet, she discovered a collection of Victorian hand fans. Impressed by their beauty and curious about their use, she explored the hand fan’s history and significance to women of that time. The “secret language of the hand fan” and its impact on changing the lives of women is a story she’d like to share with you on April 21, 2026.The fashions in this exhibit were curated by Joanne Picard and Elizabeth Wood. Picard and Wood are also Wistariahurst volunteers.This program is funded in part by a grant from the Holyoke Local Cultural Council, a localagency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.El Museo Wistariahurst se complace en anunciar que el 21 de abril expondrá- el 19 de mayo, desvelará y mostrará el lenguaje secreto de los abanicos victorianos. El evento contará con una exposición de abanicos de bella factura y una demostración en directo de cómo se utilizaba el «lenguaje de los abanicos» para comunicarse sin pronunciar una sola palabra.Aunque los abanicos de mano eran un accesorio de moda «imprescindible» para las mujeres de la época, también marcaron el inicio de la determinación de las mujeres por liberarse de la opresión del patriarcado y de las miradas excesivamente celosas de los chaperones durante la era victoriana. Los asistentes aprenderán cómo el sencillo abanico de mano ayudó a empoderar a las mujeres para que buscaran una mayor independencia... caminando sin escolta masculina, montando en bicicleta, rediseñando la moda y exigiendo el control de sus vidas cotidianas.Acerca de la comisariaDeborah Long es voluntaria en Wistariahurst y participa con entusiasmo en los eventos, proyectos y actividades habituales del museo. Uno de sus proyectos consistió en cotejar el contenido del armario de la ropa blanca con el inventario de los objetos que allí se guardaban. Mientras examinaba cada objeto en los distintos cajones y armarios del armario, descubrió una colección de abanicos victorianos. Impresionada por su belleza y con curiosidad por su uso, exploró la historia del abanico y su importancia para las mujeres de aquella época. El «lenguaje secreto del abanico» y su impacto en la transformación de la vida de las mujeres es una historia que le gustaría compartir con ustedes el 21 de abril de 2026.La selección de prendas de esta exposición ha sido comisariada por Joanne Picard y Elizabeth Wood. Picard y Wood también son voluntarias de Wistariahurst.Este programa está financiado en parte por una subvención del Consejo Cultural Local de Holyoke, una agencia localque cuenta con el apoyo del Consejo Cultural de Massachusetts, una agencia estatal. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/holyoke/open-gallery-hours-fans-fashion-and-feminsim-at-wistariahurst-museum/100001986437457910 - **Event Categories**: trips-adventures, womens-history-month - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 1 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Holyoke - **state**: MA - **country**: United States - **location**: 238 Cabot St - **lat**: 42.20499299999999 - **long**: -72.6175913 - **full address**: 238 Cabot St, 238 Cabot Street, Holyoke, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Open Gallery Hours: "Fans, Fashion, and Feminsim" at Wistariahurst Museum - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/17c84bb072818bc23b153d62535a259614fdea17b16d7e2dadbdb170e5ce50ee-rimg-w1200-h600-dc253142-gmir.jpg?v=1775107876 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Open Gallery Hours: "Fans, Fashion, and Feminsim" at Wistariahurst Museum being held? - **A:** Open Gallery Hours: "Fans, Fashion, and Feminsim" at Wistariahurst Museum takes place on Mon, 27 Apr, 2026 at 10:00 am to Tue, 19 May, 2026 at 06:30 pm at 238 Cabot St, 238 Cabot Street, Holyoke, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing Open Gallery Hours: "Fans, Fashion, and Feminsim" at Wistariahurst Museum? - **A:** Open Gallery Hours: "Fans, Fashion, and Feminsim" at Wistariahurst Museum is organized by Wistariahurst Museum. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Open Gallery Hours: "Fans, Fashion, and Feminsim" at Wistariahurst Museum is ideal for art lovers, trade professionals, collectors, and exhibition enthusiasts exploring the latest in their field. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Holyoke, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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