In 1945, the Framingham History Center received the donation of the diplomatic uniform of Rev. Dr. Peter Parker, who was born in Framingham and spent more than 20 years as a medical missionary and diplomat in China from 1834-1857. Last year the curatorial staff invited Henry Cooke of Historical Costume Services of Randolph, MA to give an evaluation and condition assessment for the uniform’s preservation and possible future display.
Over the past year Henry has undertaken the laborious process of carefully studying, repairing and restoring the coat and trousers so that they can be mounted on a mannequin figure to be displayed as part of a special exhibit later this year.
On June 18th, as part of the Annual Meeting, Henry will be sharing what he has learned and showing the progress made to date on restoring the coat and trousers. He will also cover the techniques used to stabilize moth eaten wool and delicate embroideries.
The suit is a silent witness to history. As we learn some of its secrets through the restoration process it leads to other questions that will help tell Peter Parker’s story.
One of the first things we noticed in studying the coat is that the 1840s diplomat’s buttons were replaced with modern U.S. Army officer buttons. Where did the originals go? What did they look like? Henry’s research has come up with some clues that may help answer the question of where the coat was made, and what the buttons look like.
A second significant question was raised while looking at the shoulders of the coat. The collar, cuffs, and pocket flaps of the coat are richly embroidered in gold oak leaves and acorns that stand out from the background. These are common elements of the several original diplomat’s coats that Henry has studied. What makes the Parker coat unique is that it also features a pair of embroidered pocket flaps that are set onto the shoulders so that they project upward and outward from the top. Their scalloped lower edges makes the flaps look like dragon wings. Why are they there? What was their purpose? Are they related to Mr. Parker’s service to the Chinese emperor’s court?
Come and see the progress on the restoration of the coat at the FHC’s Annual Meeting and find out what our sleuthing has uncovered about eagles, dragons and other features of this special suit!