Object Record
Images
Additional Images [2]
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1992.011.074.a |
Object Name |
Uniform |
Description |
This is a World War II American Red Cross uniform dress. The uniform features faux-pearl buttons and navy blue cuffs and lapels. Two red bars are sewn just above the left cuff, indicating that the user served for two years. There is an embroidered Red Cross patch on the left breast pocket. The bottom hem of the uniform is whip-stitched, and the uniform was machine-sewn, likely by Red Cross volunteers. The uniform also features small shoulder pads that were likely for hanging the uniform when not in use. This dress corresponds with a matching headscarf (1992.011.074.b). There is no clothing label inside the uniform, so the exact place of origin is unknown. The following text was used to interpret this uniform dress during the 2024 Reece Museum exhibition "Stitch Together": "Philia "Ruth" Roberts Harris (formerly Meierhoff) (1921 - 1991) was born in Roswell, New Mexico. She married Capt. Cecil Edward Meierhoff, who was lost at sea in 1945 during a combat mission against Japanese forces in China. Ruth worked with the Red Cross in China, Burma, and India, and as an airline steward for American Airlines. Ruth married Allen Harris Jr. in 1947, who succeeded his father as president of the Harris Manufacturing Company in 1968. Many of the historic textiles in the Harris Family Collection belonged to Ruth and Allen Harris Jr. Ruth Harris was a commissioner for the Johnson City Council of Girl Scouts, director of the Friends of the Reece Museum, director of the Harris Foundation, founder of the Harris Interest Music Suzuki Violin Program at the Johnson City Symphony, member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and part of the ETSU Foundation, among many other designations. Ruth Harris' American Red Cross uniform demonstrates wartime sewing. The stitches, while hurried, are still strong and surviving. While the seamstress of this uniform is unknown, it is possible that Ruth Harris herself could have made it as there are many examples of home sewing in the Harris collection. The garment is white and lightweight, perfect for hot climates. During both World Wars, seamstresses played a major role in clothing soldiers and non-combatants. They also produced bandages, parachutes, patient gowns, and more to support the war effort. The home front also emphasized sewing and upcycling to support rationing. Soldiers in the trenches learned mending with hand-powered machines." The following research excerpt was submitted by a Reece Museum volunteer in 2025. Their research sources can be made available upon request. "FOUNDING OF GIRL SCOUTS In March 1912, the year after Juliette Gordon Low had met and been inspired by Robert Baden Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts, she founded Girl Scouts of America in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia. There were 18 charter members. She envisioned an organization that combined play, work, and healthy values that would help shape girls into modern women. The first Girl Scout Council was started in 1917 in Toledo, Ohio. In 1947, the organization's name was changed to Girl Scouts of the United States of America. The organization was incorporated in 1950. A few years after its founding, Girl Scouts preserved fruits in response to food shortages. During the Great Depression they aided relief efforts by making quilts, collecting clothing and helping in hospitals. During WWII, Girl Scouts worked in hospitals, grew Victory Gardens, collected fat and scrap metal, and sold defense bonds. In the 1950s, the Girl Scouts concentrated on Kits for Korea. Like all these past programs, the organization continues to design programs to motivate girls into making a positive impact in their communities and around the world. LOCAL ORIGINS SOME EARLY TROOP ACTIVITIES An article in the Bristol Herald Courier on June 23, 1917 stated that more than 100 girls had joined the newly organized Girl Scouts in Bristol led by Mrs. Samuel Carter Waddell. The article noted that the object of Girl Scouts was to cooperate with the Red Cross and other similar organizations. Girls were required to pass an extensive course in Scout craft before becoming a full-fledged member. Scout craft included shooting, swimming, use of telegraphic instruments and knowledge of Morse Code, signaling, typewriting, and participation in athletic games, etc. Five months before the previously mentioned article, the Herald Courier said, "Girl Scouts are Pioneers in America for preparedness," pointing out that Girl Scouts served as an important adjunct to the military arm of government in time of war. It noted that more than 2/3 of the states had troops with campaigns ongoing to have troops in "every city, town and hamlet in America." In July 1917, the Girl Scouts in Bristol raised $300 for the local militia companies. In September 1917, Girl Scouts of Bristol "answered the call for war service" raising funds for Company H. Scouts were stationed on every street corner in the city soliciting money. And in February 1918, they were collecting books and magazines for "Soldier's Book Day." Also in 1918, Girl Scouts were knitting squares to be added to an afghan for the Red Cross. The Johnson City Staff News reported on March 16, 1918 that Edith Campbell organized the Girl Scouts last week. The article said "among other things, this organization will sell Liberty Bonds and war savings stamps." July 10, 1917 was observed as Girl Scout Day in the area. Mayors of Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia turned the keys of the cities over to Mrs. Samuel Waddell on behalf the Girl Scouts. The day's objective was to raise funds for Red Cross. Five troops of the Bristol Girl Scouts were involved in the fundraising. In June 1918, local Girl Scouts went to the Soldiers Home [Now Mountain Home VA] to help with patriotic exercises. FIRST TRI-CITIES COUNCIL FORMED The first Girl Scout Council in the Tri-Cities region was started in 1939 in Bristol. The three cities of Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City organized councils, but there were many girls in distant areas between these cities with no opportunity to join and become members. In response to that need, the three councils met then chose and developed a campsite to be better able to serve all area girls. A Holston Mountain site was selected and was opened in 1949. It was called Sky-Way-Mo which represented the sky, water and mountains. APPALACHIAN GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL/GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL OF SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS The Johnson City based Appalachian Girl Scout Council was the first "area" council in America. It was incorporated on October 20, 1953 and became official when Virginia Blunt, Assistant Executive Director of Girl Scouts, presented a charter to the council president at memorial auditorium at East Tennessee State College (ETSC). The council began with ten counties: Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Sullivan, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington in Tennessee, and Scott and Washington in Virginia. It was the largest geographically in the region and the fourth largest in number of members. It was the first council to be set up with district and neighborhood chairs. Now (2025) the Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians serves 46 counties from Southwest Virginia, East Tennessee, and North Georgia. It is comprised of three Councils that merged in 2009: Appalachian (local), Tanasi, and Moccasin Bend. It currently has over 6,200 members with approximately 2,400 adult members. Leadership centers are located in Johnson City, Knoxville and Chattanooga. Each leadership center has a Girl Scout shop and the Knoxville Leadership Center is home to the Girl Scout Museum at Daisy's Place (Low's nickname was Daisy.) Beginning in 1984, Daisies was the name given to the Girl Scouts groups with the youngest members. Within the Tri-Cities (Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol VA/TN) over 1,000 girls are served within their respective counties. Membership varies year to year. GIRL SCOUT DIVISIONS Girls can join the organization in kindergarten through 12th grade. The organization is structured by grade level: Daisies (K-1), Brownies (2-3), Juniors (4-5), Cadettes (6-8), Seniors (9-10), and Ambassadors (11-12). Members are encouraged to be better, reach their full potential, and make the world a better place. Members make lasting friendships, build character, confidence, and courage and they do it through a variety of tasks and activities. For example, they learn arts and crafts like quilting and basket weaving, acquire outdoor skills through camping and hiking, become knowledgeable about first aid, and work to improve their communities. And by mastering various skills, members earn highly-coveted badges that are displayed on the uniform, typically on a uniform sash, tunic, or vest. UNIFORMS Two years after the founding of Girl Scouts, the uniforms, which included a knee length blue dress or skirt and blouse, were manufactured. Juliette Gordon Low ordered a stock of blue uniforms, with khaki to be sent by special request. They soon changed to khaki because the girls preferred it for their activities. Khaki was used until 1928 when it was replaced with green. Girl Scouts continued to wear green dresses paired with yellow neckerchiefs. Brownies wore brown shirt dresses with short sleeves. Restrictions on the use of metals during wartime caused the zippers to be replaced by buttons. It was during the Depression when Scouts began wearing the beret with the iconic trefoil symbol. Over the years, the uniforms have gone through many changes with colors and styles. Pieces of uniforms included caps, hats, sweaters, etc., even bathing suits. The girls were instructed on why, when, and how to wear the uniforms and badges. In the 1960s pants came to be part of the uniform, and culottes were added in the 1970s. All pieces of the uniform, their styles and colors, have evolved with the times by the introduction of materials, designs, and features that modern girls wanted. By the 1970s, the uniform was completely washable and permanent press. As an example to show the range of uniforms available, in 1973 Girl Scout Juniors could choose from five separates to create twelve looks. Among the options was a green jumper with a four-button placket, inverted front pleat, and large patch pockets. In 1974 the uniforms had matching pants and tunic tops, and the Brownie uniform included a pantsuit. The children's book, The Brownies, inspired the Brownie program. They were compared to fairies or elves with the ability to help others by doing good deeds. Their uniform originally consisted of a brown dress with an orange neckerchief along with a peaked cap. The Brownie beanie was introduced in 1941. Over the years, the fabric and the color of the elf on the hat changed to match other uniform accessories. The leaping or dancing elf was at one time stamped onto the fabric, but is typically seen as an embroidered patch sewn onto the front of the cap in orange or blue. In 1966, a baseball-style cap with the elf was introduced. In the mid-1990s, the official Girl Scout uniforms included a royal blue skirt or walking shorts, a multi-colored, long sleeved, striped blouse in white, royal blue, yellow and green. Uniforms included a bandana and an insignia vest or sash. Around 2001, the blue was changed to khaki. The organization has always been cognizant of the girls' changing attitudes and styles. King's Department Store in Johnson City often placed newspaper advertisements for scouting. King's touted the store as being the "Official Scout Store." King's had a dedicated uniform and accessories area on the fourth floor of their downtown business. FUNDRAISING As with the uniforms, Girl Scout Cookies have found a place in history. Cookie sales have always financed troop activities. In the 1910's cookies were home baked by a few members. By 1922 sales went nationwide, but were still baked in members' homes. In 1948 there were 29 bakers licensed to make Girl Scout cookies. By the 1960s it was down to 14 and by the 1970s the process was even more streamlined for uniform price and quality. By 1990, only 2 bakers were licensed. In 1951 there were three flavors. That number had grown to twelve in 2024. In 1944, due to rationing during WWII, calendars were sold instead of cookies. MOUNTAIN MAGIC In 1970, the Appalachian Girl Scout Council hosted Mountain Magic, a two-week event organized to give older Girl Scouts an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the Appalachian Mountain region and its people. Girls who had completed either high school grade (9-12) that year were eligible. One hundred fifty girls from around the country, averaging around 17 years old attended, along with 20 from this local area. The event was held in July and the girls were housed in dorms at Virginia Intermont College in Bristol. They participated in workshops, field trips, arts, and crafts relevant to the region. They learned about corn shucking, honeysuckle vine weaving, wood carving, folk drama, candle making, etc. The girls took the skills they learned back to their respective councils where they could teach others. The girls attended the Craftsman's Fair in Asheville, visited Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains, and attended a show at the Barter Theater in Abingdon, Virginia where they bartered for their admission. A girl from Las Vegas brought silver ore samples; a pineapple came from Hawaii, and a model of a T-Model automobile came from Detroit. IN CONCLUSION This undertaking for empowering girls-started at a time when they were not expected to exceed or venture outside norms-led to a global movement. Some 50 million girls having participated since the organization's founding." |
Date |
1940s |
Collection |
Harris Family Collection |
Place of Origin |
USA |
Material |
mother-of-pearl, fabric, rayon, cotton, thread |
Subjects |
costume, clothing, and textiles Girl Scouts Local History |
Other Name |
Dress |
Made |
American Red Cross |