UNH Today

Historic New England has named “Treasures Afoot: Shoe Stories from the Georgian Era,” by UNH history lecturer Kimberly Alexander, an Honors Book.

“Treasures Afoot” was one of two books recognized with the honors designation in Historic New England’s twenty-fifth annual Book Prize announcement. The Prize itself went to “Rather Elegant Than Showy: The Classical Furniture of Isaac Vose” by Robert D. Mussey Jr. and Clark Pearce.

“Treasures Afoot” introduces readers to the history of the Georgian shoe. Presenting a series of stories that reveal how shoes were made, sold and worn during the eighteenth century, and how footwear was altered to accommodate the wearer’s health, finances and changing styles. Alexander takes readers on a colorful journey from bustling London streets into ship cargo holds, New England shops and, ultimately, to the homes of consumers.

Alexander teaches museum studies, material culture, American history and New Hampshire history at UNH. She has held curatorial positions at several New England museums, including the MIT Museum, the Peabody Essex Museum and Strawbery Banke. Alexander was guest curator of “Fashioning the New England Family” (October 2018- April 2019) at the Massachusetts Historical Society. Her companion book, "Fashioning the New England Family," will be published early next year by The University of Virginia Press.

Founded in 1910, Historic New England is the oldest and largest regional heritage organization in the nation. Its Book Prize is awarded annually to a book that advances the understanding of life in New England from the past to today by examining its architecture, landscape and material culture.