2-833-291 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

This dress belonged to Marie Monroe, a young woman who lived in Rosewood, Florida, during the 1923 Rosewood Massacre, a racially motivated massacre of black people and destruction of a black town in Florida, USA. At least six black people and two white people were killed, though eyewitness accounts suggested a higher death toll of 27 to 150. A green and cream checked A-line dress with black trimmings worn by Marie Monroe. The dress has a split-front neckline with a folded collar and straight-cut fitted sleeves that end below the elbow. The body of the dress is blousy and has a drop waist and pleated skirt with the hem falling mid-calf. The dress is made from a semi-sheer light green fabric with darker green and cream woven checks. Black woven tape is sewn in a rectangle around the split-neck, on the edges of the collar, in double lines on the cuffs of each sleeve, and around the drop waistline. The waist is scalloped, with two bottom points on the front and back at each side. The skirt has a box pleat extending from each of these points. The dress has no closure method, it slips on over the wearer's head. It is not lined.