Handbag heaven

It is not considered just a possession to women.

A woman's life today often is often carried in her handbag, Diana Dretske said.

It's a survival kit.

The average woman owns three of them, said Dretske, who owns 20. And no matter what store carries them, they sell quickly.

"Many stores carry purses that cost $300 and up and they fly off the shelves," she said.

The Lake County Discovery Museum will examine the cultural meaning of the handbag -- why do women carry them and what do they put in them.

"Pocketbook Anthropology: A Treasure of Handbags" will open Saturday and run through Jan. 20 at the Lake County Discovery Museum near Wauconda.

The special exhibit room, once filled with fishing poles and lures from the "Hooked" exhibit, now appears like a French salon filled with handbags, decorative chairs and mirrors.

Dretske, the museum's collections coordinator, said that was the goal, after attracting fathers, grandfathers and their sons, they now will attract another audience.

"If you were in Paris to go into a boutique to get a dress and a bag, this is the atmosphere you would have," Dretske said.

"Pocketbook Anthropology" features 50 handbags provided by Exhibits USA, a group of Midwest museums that create timely exhibitions.

But Dretske said this exhibit was a good chance to exhibit 30 handbags, part of the museum's collection donated by the public.

"I expect with this, people call and say I have a purse," she said.

Just as women's fashion has changed, so has the look of women's handbags.

"Individually, each piece as an object is beautiful and can be appreciated as an art object on its own," she said. "As a grouping, you see the evolution and a lot of history."

For example in the 1920s, women earned the right to vote, World War I ended and there was a huge economic boom. Hemlines went up and elegant materials were used in fashions and handbags. Bags featured heavy beading, tassels and rhinestones.

But in the 1940s, World War II resulted in a more conservative nature and rationing. Women would reuse old purses and freshen them up such as by adding ribbons.

More recently, women's lives have become more hectic between career, family and multiple errands. Purses have become so huge because women want to be prepared for anything.

"They need to take the home or office with them in the purse," she said. "They never had that before."

Visitors can view handbags made from different materials ranging from cigarette packs to silk to beads to precious metals. Others feature unusual shapes such as a pink poodle purse and one shaped like a human hand.

Visitors can also learn the stories behind a few select purses, including one from Nancy Cartwright, the actress who does the voice of Bart Simpson.

Rounding out the exhibition will be seven dresses dating from 1895 to 1976 that will be shown with complementary purses to illustrate fashion over time.

The exhibition also includes hands-on activities for kids and anecdotes, quips and literary quotations about this feminine item.

Handbags also will be among offerings as the museum hosts its Chocolate, Champagne and Shopping event from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 14.

Purse artist Jody Wachman will present a trunk show and sale of her custom purses at the event. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $12 at the door to this adults-only event.

If you go

What: "Pocketbook Anthropology: A Treasure of Handbags"

Where: Lake County Discovery Museum, located on Route 176, west of Fairfield Road, in the Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda

When: Exhibit opens Saturday and runs through Jan. 20

For information: Visit www.lcfpd.org or call the hotline at (847) 968-3393