Travel to 19th century England with Charles Dickens to learn about collectible buttons in a hands-on workshop on Tuesday, October 28, 6 to 8 p.m at the Princeton Adult School, located at Princeton High School, 151 Moore Street in Princeton.
In the illustrated program, “Buttons 101: Every Button Has a Story,” Barbara Figge Fox and Susan Freeman, members of the New Jersey State Button Society, will focus on materials used to make buttons in 19th century England, to include metal, shell, and black glass. Students will receive vintage and antique buttons to make a “Button Sampler.” Cost: $35. Ton enroll, email info@PrincetonAdultSchool.org.
Buttons 102: What Stories Do Your Buttons Tell? is on Tuesday, November 11. Fox, Freeman, and Virginia Fuerstenberger will tell about materials used for button manufacture in the United States in the 20th century—some made here in NJ—include synthetic polymer, Bakelite, vegetable ivory, and rubber. Students will go home with some buttons and may also bring their own buttons to be analyzed as time permits. $35.
New Jersey State Button Society was founded in 1941, when a nationwide interest in button collecting was surging. Many iconic authors of classic books on button collecting have been members of NJSBS. Members continue to study, collect, and enjoy garment buttons form the present and centuries past. For information, email buttonsinnewjersey@gmail.com.