Wow! That Oughta Be In a Museum!

Beginnings

Carol Peterson started her collection in 1980 when she was asked to do a program on 19th-century mourning customs for Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita.

To prepare for the program, Carol visited an antique store and bought mourning jewelry and a black fan. By the end of the day, she was hooked.

Carol collects anything to do with mourning. Important parts of her collection are jewelry (black glass and jet) and combs (she has 80).

She uses her collection for programs on mourning customs to clubs and groups.

"[People] say, 'We don't want that program because we have too many widows in our group.' And I say, 'The widows will be the ones who will like the program.' They come up to me afterwards and say, 'Nobody lets me talk about my husband.'"

Pictured above, Carol Peterson wears part of her collection at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, where she is a volunteer.