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The phrase "everything old is new again" is evident in the women's hats, shoes and gloves currently on display at the historic Thompson House.

About 70 fashion pieces, from a mid-1700s reproduction bonnet to 1970s wedges, can be viewed by appointment through Oct. 31. Admission is free, but donations are always appreciated at the self-supporting local landmark.

All the items in the exhibit are from the personal collection of Beth Herrington.

From black mourning hats to a boxed set of miniature salesman samples from the early 1940s, form fitting cloches from the 1960s to pill boxes and tams with tassels, the variety of styles of headwear women have chosen to complete their ensembles is a reflection of time, culture and personal preference.

"They are a visual record of the historical era," said Herrington.

The Thompson House board wanted to create a new exhibit for the public to enjoy, said Herrington, who is a past president.

"There's evening and day wear, kid gloves to evening gloves and shoes," Herrington said. "The '40s wedges are back again."

After World War II, they began to use plastics, which they perfected during the war, according to Herrington.

"It's the same with these shoes from the 1950s; they wore this style in the 1920s with a spool heel, and Marie Antoinette wore this style of shoe, too," Herrington said.

Her favorite headpiece is a black mourning hat typical of the Victorian period, circa 1870-'80.

"People weren't afraid to show their emotions and wore black at least a year, then graduated to mauve or lilac before returning to the rest of their clothes. Queen Victoria wore mourning clothes the rest of her life after her husband died," Herrington said.

Milliners made many of the hats, instead of a factory; they were made all by hand, Herrington explained, as she admired the chapeaus separated by decade around the room.

"My grandmother was a milliner in her grandfather's mercantile," she said.

Along with invoking a connection to her past, many of the pieces have personal memories for the local historian.

"These platform heels with ankle straps I wore in graduate school in Tennessee. I can't believe I walked all over campus in these heels," she said.

Some of the collection she remembers her mom wearing or carrying.

"The beaded evening bag was hers, and a pair of kid gloves, because no woman in the '20s would be without them if she could afford them," Herrington said.

For some board members, playing dress-up with the historic hats while setting up the exhibit was too much fun to resist.

"When we were putting the hats out, we were trying them on and discussing how many of the designs have been repeated through the years," said Etter Nottingham, current board president.

Her first wedges were purchased on an overseas trip.

"I went to visit family in Germany in 1975, and brought home a pair of wedges before they were in fashion here. I wore them to work at Northeastern, but I was so tall I felt funny, so I didn't wear them much," said Nottingham.

For Ann Lancaster, also a past president of the organization, history equals preservation.

"In this day and time, we seem to be losing so much of our past. It's important to preserve these everyday items that can be preserved for future generations to have a window on the past. We appreciate those who realize the importance of preservation," said Lancaster.

The Thompson House is available for special occasions, weddings, receptions, birthday parties, college graduation parties and anniversaries, according to Nottingham.

"Bettye Poteete celebrated her 90th birthday here; she's deceased now, but her family donated Victorian-era plates, bowls and a wooden tea cart," Nottingham said, indicating the walls in the dining room where the glassware is now hanging and on display. "We do accept period donations to add to the decor."

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