Anne Lambert

Anne Lambert, Curator, Clothing and Textiles Collection

"Anne played a significant role for more than three decades in researching, accessing, and exhibiting a wide range of artifacts that culminated in the creation of [this] collection. [She] demonstrated knowledge and passion in encouraging the scholarly use of these items." - Deanna Williamson, Chair, Department of Human Ecology (2011-2021)

Professor Anne Lambert served as the Curator of the Clothing and Textiles Collection for 35 years. She played a pivotal role in establishing and growing this collection into one of profound international stature made up of more than 23,000 cross-cultural artifacts representing more than 250 years of history. The collection generates interest among students, researchers, alumni, and the public. It is an important resource for scholars and students of artifact conservation, museum studies, dress design and construction, and textile science.

Under Professor Lambert's tutelage, the collection evolved to have noteworthy holdings in a number of areas including fashionable dress from the past three centuries, Indonesian and West African textiles, Guatemalan textiles and costumes, and Peruvian ethnographic and archaeological textiles. Professor Lambert's knowledge and reputation were also instrumental in the 2006 donation of an extensive Canadian quilt collection of nearly 700 artifacts. The Rosenberg Quilt Collection, designated Canadian Cultural Property, has garnered international interest from quilters, quilt scholars, collectors, and the community.

In addition to her significant curatorial accomplishments, Professor Lambert has made an indelible impression on scores of students and colleagues who credit her as their mentor and inspiration for studying textiles and dress. Through her collection-based courses, students gained both knowledge and respect for the materials and objects of everyday life in addition to a rich understanding of how clothing and textiles are intimately connected to personal, social and cultural identities.

Adapted from nomination by Deanna Williamson, Chair, Department of Human Ecology, and support letter by Arlene Oak, Associate Professor, Material Culture, Jane Batcheller, Lecturer and Faculty Service Officer, and Vlada Blinova, Lecturer, Faculty Service Officer, and Collections Manager, Clothing and Textiles Collection.