Philips County Museum News for June 19, 2019

“Bagging It” describes our new display of purses through the decades.

Did you know that when women first started carrying purses it was considered indecent? Fact.

A very long time ago women carried their valuables in a pouch that hung from their waist and resided under their full skirts. Because it was located under their skirts the pouch was considered an undergarment. When the early handbags dared to be worn outside their skirts it was akin to a woman lifting her skirts and showing her underwear – scandalous behavior!

Please drop by and view the purses through the decades display! Museum hou...