At the Fashion Archives & Museum at Shippensburg University, fashion isn’t just about style—it’s a portal to the past. Dr. Karin J. Bohleke, director of the museum, calls it her “dream job,” and she’s using it to bring centuries of history to life through original clothing and textiles.

“How many people get lucky enough to land their dream job? And I did,” Bohleke said. “All my academic interest was in historical dress… and the opportunity came up at Shippensburg and I jumped at it.”

The museum, which is open to the public, holds an expansive collection of historic dress from the 18th to the 20th century—including men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing and accessories. There are even textiles dating back to ancient Egypt.

“Clothing is the only way we can get in touch with our ancestors in 3D,” said Bohleke. “Clothing is so personal—that’s what connects us to the figures, even when the styles have changed a lot.”

Everything on display at the museum is original. “We have no reproductions on display,” she explained. “When the label says the dress dates to circa 1865, that dress was made circa 1865.”

The items are nearly all donated and require extensive care. “Everything gets frozen and vacuumed,” Bohleke said. “That way, nothing with… multiple legs will survive the process.”

As both a teaching and public museum, the Fashion Archives offers hands-on opportunities for students while sharing the enduring stories woven into fabric and thread with the community.