About

Mission

The mission of the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection is to educate and inspire through the documentation, exhibition, and preservation of historic costume.

History

Founded in 1891 by financier and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel, the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry was built on the belief that art and design are essential to a well-rounded education. Drexel dedicated one million dollars—more than 26 million dollars today—to acquiring art and artifacts that would enrich student learning.

Textiles and traditional dress were among the earliest additions to what was then known as the Museum of Drexel Institute. In 1898, Howard Pyle, Director of the School of Illustration, advocated for the inclusion of fashionable dress and accessories to support the artistic and historical studies of dressmaking and millinery students.

By the early 1950s, the collection had grown to nearly 2,000 objects and became known as the Drexel Historic Costume Collection. In 1954, Mary Brenneman Carter was appointed as its first curator. Her leadership established professional standards, formalized collection management, and ensured the long-term care of the collection.

The collection reached a new milestone in 1959 with the creation of the Nan Duskin Laboratory of Costume Design, a state-of-the-art facility for storage, study, and instruction. Named in honor of Anne Lincoln, founder of the renowned Nan Duskin shop, the laboratory reflected her strong support of the collection.

In recent years, the collection has undergone significant transformation. The appointment of professionally trained curator in 2008 and the opening of a modern storage facility in the URBN Center in 2012 expanded both access and preservation capabilities. In 2014, the collection was renamed the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection in recognition of their generous support.

Today, the collection continues to serve as a vital resource for education, research, and inspiration.