Betty Williams Collection

University Archives and Special Collections
15 Lippitt Road
Kingston, RI 02881-2011
Tel: 401-874-4632

email: archives@etal.uri.edu

Published in 2009

Collection Overview

Title:	Betty Williams Collection
Date range:	1796-1995
Creator:	Williams, Betty Vickery
Extent:	29.5 linear feet 59 box(es)
Abstract:	This collection was begun by Betty Vickery Williams (1931-1996) in 1974 and encompasses a portion of the material collected for research on the history of primarily western clothing fashions and accessories, tailoring and cutting, and documentation of commercial clothing patterns dating from the 18th to the 20th centuries.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	University Archives and Special Collections
Collection number:	Mss. Gr. 213

Scope & content

This collection comprises hand written notes, letters, photocopies of patterns, articles, journals, advertisements, pamphlets and book chapters. The focus of Williams' work is the history of western clothing fashion, commercial clothing pattern companies and the documentation of commercial patterns, men’s and women’s tailoring, and accessorizing.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into four series:

• 1. Pattern Companies
• 2. Women's Fashions
• 3. Men's Fashions
• 4. Subject File

Biographical note

Betty Vickery Williams began her extensive collection of research notes, commercial clothing patterns, periodicals, books, and catalogues in 1974. This was born out of what she saw as the increasing lack of cutters and drapers in the theater profession with skills based on, in Williams' words, “a sound knowledge of the cut of historical clothes”. Discovering that collections of historical materials on clothing patterns were scant to non existent, she began collecting materials through photocopying research materials from institutional collections such as the Smithsonian and private sources. She also purchased a wide variety of original source material, scouring attics and church bazaars for old patterns. Her work inspired a resurgence of interest in commercial dressmaker patterns. Williams was a theatrical costume maker in New York City. Her work, spanning over four decades included creating the costumes for the original productions of The Fantasticks, Dames at Sea, The Boys in the Band, Oh Calcutta, Alfie, and Philadelphia Here I Come. She worked extensively with the New York City Opera, Alvin Ailey Dance Company, Jose Limone Company, The New York Shakespeare Festival, Goodspeed Opera Company and "The Lost Colony" in North Carolina. She was a founding member of The Studio, now known as Timberlake Studios which nourished and influenced thousands of young designers and provided a workplace for the development of hundreds of off-Broadway and regional productions. Williams held a BA in English/Music from Jacksonville State University, and an MA in Theater Arts from the University of North Carolina. In 1994, she received the United States Institute for Theater Technology (USITT) Citation of Excellence for her lifetime achievements. Betty Williams died on June 26, 1996.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	Open for research.
Use of the materials:	Terms governing use and reproduction: Photocopying and scanning of materials is a fee based service available in the repository and is allowed at the discretion of the Archivist when in compliance to the Unit's policy on copyright and publication.
Preferred citation:	Betty Williams Research Collection, Mss. Gr. 213, University of Rhode Island, University Archives and Special Collections.
Contact information:	University Archives and Special Collections 15 Lippitt Road Kingston, RI 02881-2011 Tel: 401-874-4632 email: archives@etal.uri.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	The collection was donated by Williams' husband, Gene Williams, after her death. The University of Rhode Island Library Special Collections Unit received the material in 1998.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Sarina R. Wyant.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Sarina R. Wyant, updated by Hailie D. Posey 2009 August 04, updated by Mark Dionne on 2020 April 6
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

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Inventory