People in Kirriemuir whose ancestors may have worn J. M. Barrie”s christening robes are being sought for an event to commemorate the author”s birth.
Barrie”s mother lent her children”s christening robe to scores of other families in the area, and the National Trust for Scotland has launched a search to find anyone whose forebears may have worn the garment.
They hope that some will be found in time to help the organisation unveil the robe when it goes back on display for the first time in 10 years.
“We”re hoping that descendents of local babies who were christened in the robe will help us unveil it when we put it back on display on May 9the 150th anniversary of Barrie”s birth,” said John McKenna, property manager at J. M. Barrie”s Birthplace in Kirriemuir.
“It would be wonderful if these families could share their stories with us and shed more light on the history of the piece.”
The trust has owned the weaver”s cottage in the town for more than 70 yearsand although the garment has been in the collection for decades, it has not been on display for more than 10 years.
All the Barrie children wore the white cotton robes with gathered lace sleeves.
Mr McKenn said, “The robe is a crucial artefact from Barrie”s early life and we believe it will add a lot to people”s understanding of the experiences which shaped and influenced him in his later years.
“It also played an important and interesting part in the story of Kirriemuir and many of its families.”
The gown was of special importance to Barrie”s mother, which the author explained in his 1896 book Margaret Ogilvy.
Anyone with information relating to a connection to the robe, including photographs, should email jmckenna@nts.org.uk
The unveiling is part of a year of celebrations to mark the anniversary.
A centrepiece is the two-week Barrie 201A Celebration Of Imagination from May 7 to 23.
For information visit www.barrie2010.org.uk