Will Seippel | January 28, 2026

Some of you may know that I collect vintage photographs and negatives. I built a website called History in Photographs to highlight and share the collection. These are more than just simple snapshots; they give us a glimpse into history and leave us with questions.

I’ve selected a few of the most intriguing and am excited to share what some experts have told us about the hidden narratives and stories behind each photo.

For these photos, we collaborated with Meghan Boehmer, a historical interpreter, reenactor, and writer who has traveled thousands of miles to research historical locations, records, and figures. She has agreed to share her expertise in period clothing with me, hoping to enhance our understanding of the subjects in the photos. Please take a look at what she was able to tell us about this photo.

This woman is decked head to toe in silk. Whether it’s daytime or nighttime, many historical outfits that a layperson might identify as a dress or gown are often composed of two pieces: a bodice and a skirt. In this case, the difference is more noticeable, as the skirt is patterned, whereas the bodice is not. She wears mutton-chop sleeves, a style that was especially popular in the 1890s, as well as the style of wearing hair in a tight bun with short bangs, often parted down the middle.

What confirms that this is from the 1890s is the wallpaper behind her. The winding floral motif is reminiscent of the arts and crafts movement, where designers like William Morris created intricate, almost fantastical, floral motifs. The pattern feels so inspired by nature that you can almost sense it was green, despite being depicted in black and white. In addition, she sits beside an extravagant oil lamp, suggesting that this picture is from a time before electricity was widely available. Either the furniture in this room is especially new, or this woman keeps her house exceptionally well, as all of the wood in the image is practically glowing with furniture polish.