The Behringer-Crawford Museum's "Treasures From the Attic: 250 Years of Fashion & Furniture" exhibit closes August 9, giving Northern Kentucky families, including those in Boone County, a final window to explore 250 years of American life through clothing and household objects.

The exhibit, part of the national America 250 commemoration, opened February 14, at the museum in Devou Park, Covington. It was developed in collaboration with Northern Kentucky University's Public History Program, which gave NKU students hands-on experience in collections care and exhibition development.

"We're like the old cabinets of curiosities," Curator Jason French told WKRC in a July 16 feature. "So we have natural history. We have history. We have art. We have artifacts related to music, we're a little bit of everything."

The exhibit traces how everyday items reveal the way Americans lived and expressed themselves, from corseted dresses and empire styles to flapper-era fashion and polyester leisure suits. Visitors can look for clues in tool marks, joinery, seam finishes, and fabric choices to understand who made an object and how it fit into daily life.

Among the standout pieces: an original Star Trek costume worn by actress Lee Meriwether, who was also Miss America 1955. The exhibit also displays a Devou family furniture piece that French said may have originally been in the building, since the museum is housed in the historic 19th-century Devou family home. A silk dress belonging to one of the Southgate girls is laid flat because silk deteriorates with age.

Family craft event Sunday, July 26

A related program, "Family Crafting Through Time: 1970s Macramé Plant Hanger," takes place July 26, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the museum. BCM Education Director Kim Gehring-Cook leads the session, which is recommended for families with children ages 8 and up. Cost is museum admission plus a $10 material fee per family. Registration is required at least five days in advance by calling (859) 491-4003.

How to visit

The museum is at 1600 Montague Road in Devou Park, Covington, about 15 miles from Florence. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. It is closed Mondays and national holidays.

Admission is $9 for adults (ages 18–59), $8 for seniors (60 and older), $5 for children (ages 3–17), and free for museum members. Parking is free.

The exhibit's final day is August 9.