Johns Hopkins Base 18

This series of garments was created for The Maryland Military Museum’s 2017 exhibit on Johns Hopkins Base 18 and WWI era nurse Bessie Baker.

After looking at several original images of Bessie Baker both prior to and during the War, I decided upon this design for her uniform.

The design of her uniform is actually a blend of her prewar nursing uniform, her war era uniform, an illustration found in a WWI era recruitment poster, and an extant JHH gown in the collection of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Archives.

Her cape is drawn directly from this one in the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Archives.

In addition, I also created a nurse’s cap, armband, and located a pair of black shoes in the style of the pair shown in this period illustration.

This was by far my most heavily researched commission for 2016 but also one of the most fascinating.

For more information about this gown or any of our custom historical garments, please visit our website at www.maggiemayfashions.com or email us at info@maggiemayfashions.com

About Susan

Hi! My name is Susan and I am a historian, seamstress, teacher, mother, and wife. My passion for history has manifested itself in the art of recreating clothing from different periods of time. Growing up in the American South, I am heavily schooled in the art of recreating clothing from the 19th century. After nearly a decade of immersing myself primarily in the Victorian period, I found the need to branch out and explore other periods of time. However, it is my connection with the American South and the clothing of rural America that continues to be the driving force behind my designs. View all posts by Susan