Millia Davenport

Millia Crotty Davenport was a pivotal American scholar of material culture and dress history, perhaps best known for her comprehensive 1948 volume, The Book of Costume. Yet, her academic rigor was matched by a crucial, practical commitment to documenting the American decorative arts, establishing her as an influential figure not only in the classroom but also in the archive. Her dual career encompassed roles as a successful costumer and theater designer, lending a rare technical precision to her historical research.

The years 1935 through 1937 were particularly significant for Davenport's contribution to archival preservation. During this period, she was actively engaged in the documentation of what is now known collectively as the 14 index of american designs. Her specific focus centered on the early history of domestic textiles, providing detailed visual records of craftsmanship that might otherwise have been overlooked. These works, which include careful cataloging of materials such as the Patchwork Quilt, Bedspread, and various Printed Cotton samples, are essential documents for understanding American folk artistry and early manufacturing traditions. These meticulously documented pieces are now preserved in major institutional collections, including the National Gallery of Art.

Davenport’s approach represents a fascinating integration of practice and theory. Her background as a working designer meant that her scholarly analysis carried an uncommon depth, marrying precise technical understanding of construction with historical context. It is an understated observation that few chroniclers of costume history have themselves wielded the technical expertise inherent in textile creation as fully as Davenport. Her commitment to documenting these highly specific objects has ensured that much of this information is available today, providing royalty-free documentation for contemporary historians and designers.

While Davenport’s primary fame remains linked to her seminal scholarly publication, her contribution to the Index of American Design provides an invaluable visual and technical companion to that text. These preserved items, including detailed analyses of 14 Textiles from Patchwork Quilt and 15 Printed Cottons, serve as essential resources for those seeking museum-quality records of American decorative arts, reinforcing her legacy as both a scholar and a preserver of visual history.