Gracing the pages of the June-July

issue of Southern Lady, a magazine that celebrates all

things feminine, are some decidedly familiar faces.

The latest

edition features an article on the Fayetteville-based

Girl's Life in 1800s summer camp, which is running its

third session of the summer this week at the Old Depot

under the direction of Michele Cox.

Just like

the Fayette County girls featured on the glossy pages of

the two-page spread, 20 ladies-in-the-making stifled

giggles Monday morning as Cox fitted them with their

hooped petticoats and skirts.

Sitting

down was another challenge to be mastered, but the girls

quickly adapted to the antigravity effect of their

Victorian gear.

Learning

about the clothing of the era was one of the week's first

lessons. Each camper was presented a notebook complete

with sketches of 1800s fashions. The girls reacted in

horror when they were informed that women in mourning may

have worn black for two and a half years.

As the week

progresses, the girls will learn old-style dances such as

the Virginia Reel and Paw Paw Patch, and the prerequisite

curtsy. The art of cross-stitch also will be introduced,

as well as calligraphy, flower pressing and napkin

folding.

Local

history is another component of the week's session that

Cox takes pains to include. A trip to the historic

Fayetteville Cemetery located on Stonewall Avenue beside

the Board of Education will be part of Friday's field

trip. After taking some tombstone rubbings, the campers

will proceed to the fountain and bricked mall of the

county complex, where they will be briefed on the

significance of the memorial bricks.

Due to

restoration plans, the Holliday-Dorsey-Fife House was not

be included in this summer's lesson plan. It has served

in the past as camp headquarters, but was replaced this

year with the completely air conditioned and spacious

Depot.

Tuesday,

the girls donned their hoops and skirts as easily as

slipping into blue jeans. Their summer t-shirts were

replaced with their own personally designed tops

decorated with lace, appliques and buttons, pulling

together the total Victorian "look."

A lesson in

millinery design will precede their bonnet- making

session. By Friday, when the girls present a program of

Victorian entertainment for their parents, they'll be

transformed into true 1800s ladies.

For

information about the camp, phone Cox at 770-487-6796 or

Main Street Fayetteville 770-461-6029.

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