Musée McCord – Costume Balls

Discover the Costume Balls Exhibition – Dressing Up History, 1870-1927

A century and a half ago, extravagant costume balls and skating carnivals were the pinnacle of society entertainments, bringing forth a kaleidoscopic array of fanciful costumed characters. But, beneath all the anachronistic exuberance, these balls reinforced core myths of colonial destiny and imperial futures.

The invitation to reimagine oneself as an alter ego was no less than an opportunity of a lifetime, occasioning study, expense, and a trip to the photographer’s studio. Costume Balls: Dressing Up History, 1870-1927 tells an extraordinary story, showcasing some of the most extraordinary objects in the Museum’s collections.