1920's Period Room

The 1920’s were a roaring time in the United States, including Edmond. Silent movies, jazz and player pianos were all the local rage. Fashions were also changing. The bob haircut was popular, skirts became shorter, waistlines dropped and women’s legs were exposed for the first time in centuries. Fashions tended to mirror the abstract elements of the 1920’s art movement.

Take a moment and step back to compare the 1889er home with the 1920’s vignette and see what a difference 30 years can make. The wallpaper in this exhibit is a true replica of a 1920’s pattern. During the 1920’s, the home’s parlor was used to socialize and entertain guests, play musical instruments and games and listen to music played on a victrola. A few of the popular fads during this decade included marathon dances, flagpole sitting, roller skating, cross country races, crossword puzzles and Mah-Jongg. Popular dances included the Charleston, the Shimmy, the Black Bottom and the Fox Trot.

It was during the 1920’s that the flapper was born. This was a woman who was newly independent, unfettered, unchaperoned and uncorseted. This "Modern Bright Young Thing" was adventurous: she raced cars, flew airplanes, wore makeup, smoke, drank and swore. The flapper wore "smart" slim dark suits, beige silk stockings, vivid scarves, mannish blouses and tiny cloche hats pulled down over her ears.

Events happening around Edmond included the installation of streetlights on Broadway between Main and Second, the establishment of the Edmond Golf Links located from 9th to 15th and Boulevard to Broadway, the building of the Edmond High School on Boulevard and the construction of Edmond’s first concrete swimming pool at the present location of Parkway Cleaners. In 1921 Edmond was granted the "Better Cities Contest" top award.