If you happen to be lucky enough to live in or near Michigan, you may be aware of an annual event peopled by “time travelers”. This is what the many people who make an annual trip to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island call themselves. Every year in October, the historic Grand Hotel hosts the “Somewhere in Time” weekend, where guests dressed in Edwardian attire sip champagne at evening receptions, promenade along the carefully-tended grounds, and enjoy special screenings of the movie “Somewhere in Time”. The movie, starring Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve, became an instant classic upon its release in 1979, and the stunning Grand Hotel where the movie was filmed has been a destination point for devoted fans ever since.
The clothing of this period (the romantic part of the movie was set in 1912) was graceful and classic, as the tiny waists, bustles, and high collars of previous years gave way to flowing gowns, hobble skirts and enormous hats. If you want to get a “feel” for the period, you can visit the Recollections site and you can see typical styles, or rent the movie “Somewhere in Time”, or “Titanic”. Both movies were set at the same timeframe, and the wardrobes are very accurate for the time portrayed. Dresses were made of lighter, silkier fabrics. In the daytime, long jackets floated over floor-length fitted skirts. Evening wear saw sheer fabric floating over more closely fitted under-dresses.
This year Recollections will be part of the festivities, as they host a special fashion show on the island. They will host an Old Fashioned Brunch and a Historical Fashion Show at the Village Inn on Mackinac Island during the Somewhere in Time Weekend, Sunday, October 9th at 10:00 and another one at 11:30. Over 40 featured gowns and ensembles will span the Victorian and Edwardian Eras, including styles similar to those from the “Somewhere in Time” movie. Seating is limited, and reservations are encouraged. Call or email Recollections 1-800-452-5925 or barb@recollections.biz to reserve. Here is the link to the Village Inn, which will provide a map, phone number and directions .

Some of the models that will be in the fashion show are Mindy, Kristie, Lauren, Erin, and Liesa, all pictured below.

Village Inn / Recollections Old Fashioned Brunch
Sunday October 9th Seatings at 10am and 11:30

$16.95 per person for fashion show and all you can eat brunch

Fresh Cut Fruit Platter
Homemade biscuits & sausage gravy
Smoked Atlantic salmon with bagel chips and boursin
Large Button Mushrooms filled with Crab & Cream Cheese
Creamy Smoked Whitefish dip with toasted parmesan crostinis
Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail and Spicy Cocktail Sauce
Homemade banana bread
Cinnamon raisin bagels with cream cheese
Corned beef hash
Mini beef burritos
Fresh Herb scrambled eggs, Cheese omelettes
Home fried cheesy potatoes
Plath’s smokehouse bacon, ham and sausage
Vanilla yogurt and granola
Fruit filled danish & muffins
French toast with pure maple syrup