Presentation Could Have You ‘Pulling Your Hair Out’

A free, unique presentation open to the public on “Victorian Hair Work as an Art Form, " sponsored by the Presque Isle Historical Society, will be held on Wednesday, March 6.

The presentation will be held at the Hampton Inn at 768 Main Street in Presque Isle and begin at 5:30 p.m.

For centuries, Hair has played a large role in all aspects of society. You're probably familiar with most of these expressions: “let your hair down”, “splitting hairs”, “by a hair”, “pulling his hair out”, “making my hair stand on end”, and many more.

Hair work is the practice of turning human hair into a piece of art that can be displayed or a piece of jewelry that can be worn. Although the practice of hair work began as early as the Middle Ages, it was the Victorians who truly raised it to an art form. Hair jewelry took many forms and included brooches, pendants, necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, cufflinks, and watch fobs. During the Victorian era, hair work or hair art represented a combination of sentiment and economics.

Kim Smith, a board member of Presque Isle Historical Society will be giving the presentation. The presentation will discuss the demographics of those who wore this unusual jewelry, how it was made and why it no longer is seen in today’s cultural mainstream. Again, the presentation will be at the Hampton Inn, March 6, and begin at 5:30 p.m.