Vintage clothing collection donated to NDSU

NDSU hosted a dedication for the donation of the Dr. William and Pricilla Hadler Stark Vintage Clothing Collection to the Emily Reynolds Historic Costume Collection on Sept. 24.

NDSU alum William Stark donated over 5,000 vintage clothing items that date back to the 1800s. One item in particular was at the inauguration speech of President Lincoln. He donated all of these items after the passing of his wife, Pricilla “Pat” Stark, in March.

The Starks used their collection as a teaching tool, holding vintage fashion shows around the country with their company, The Way They Wore.

Both graduated from NDSU in 1949. William majored in agriculture, and was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho, Saddle and Sirloin, FFA and the football team. Pat earned her degree in home economics, was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and also played the flute in the Gold Star Marching Band. They both went on to get master degrees at other universities.

Pat studied under Emily Reynolds, who was a teacher at NDSU and to whom the Emily Reynolds Historic Costume Collection is attributed.

“Pat studying with Emily Reynolds makes it super personal,” said Virginia Clark Johnson, dean of human development and education.

After Pat passed away, she left the clothing to her four daughters. Jill Stark Duckette, the youngest of the four, thought it would be fitting to donate a majority of the collection to NDSU.

Duckette gave a memorable speech about the lives of her parents and what they taught to others. “In passing she is still teaching,” Duckette said of her mother.

This collection is a tribute to Pat Stark, “to take her history and preserve it,” Duckette said.William Stark was present at the ceremony to commemorate and celebrate the generous donation to NDSU.

“We are so thrilled and pleased to have these [clothes]. They will help our students with design concepts to further fashion,” Holly Bastow-Shoop, professor at NDSU, said.

“None of us go naked! We need to be well dressed and put together,” Bastow-Shoop said.

Visits are welcome to view the collection by appointment. Contact Ann Braaten at 701-231-7367 or ann.braaten@ndsu.edu.

The collection will be displayed for a month. The collections change monthly.