The fur-muff is out, women need their hands now

Fur-muff part of a Pump
House exhibit coming in Feb.

A century ago, many women around La Crosse might have been seen in the winter keeping their hands warm inside a fur muff, either made or sold in the city.

Rich women. Women who would have been catered to. Women who would not have had to open their own doors, says Ariel Beaujot from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse history department.

Now, however, it’s a different story.

“We need our hands … to do things,” Beaujot said laughing at the obviousness of the statement, “Women need to open their own doors and things like that.

“So, we don’t wear fur-muffs, but what does that represent when you’re unable to use your hands in this cold weather?”

An art exhibit at the Pump House could answer that question. UW-L art professor Brad Nichols has created an exhibit built around a new piece of art around such a muff for the Artifact display.

Fifteen pieces inspired by historic objects will be shown in the Artifact exhibit from late February through the middle of April.