HomeAbout the Pat and Peggy Kennedy Memorial Library

About the Pat and Peggy Kennedy Memorial Library

What is the Pat and Peggy Kennedy Memorial Library?
The Pat and Peggy Kennedy Memorial Library is the official Archives of the International Costumers Guild.  Its mission is to preserve the history of Science Fiction fan costuming.  Since the mid-1980s, it has been gathering materials spanning decades.  In addition, it has accumulated images from Wearable Arts events, Living History and other showcases for creativity.  Much of this collection has never been seen by a wide audience – not even ICG members.  Our intention is to be the major destination for the celebration of craftsmanship, imagination and knowledge that our hobby encompasses.

Pat and Peggy Kennedy

You can find out more about Pat and Peggy Kennedy, for whom the archives are named, by visiting their Lifetime Achievement Award entries:

Pat Kennedy
Peggy Kennedy

Questions

What does the Archives contain?
Photographs, videotapes, DVDs and other paper ephemera related to costume events, the business records of the ICG and other documents.

How big is the Archives? 
There are over 100,000 photos and hundreds of masquerade videos, and we are constantly acquiring new material. Not everything is digitized or described yet--we will be updating the Gallery as we get new content inventoried.  

Why does the Library have so many pictures from Science Fiction conventions?
From the beginning, many Science Fiction conventions have had some sort of costume contest or masquerade. They allow people to express their creativity by in a way that can be worn on the body. This doesn’t mean the Library is not interested in other costume event photos, though.  We promote all types of costuming as an art form.

I have some old photos you might be interested in, do you want them?
Yes! We are always looking for photos (digital or paper or slides) or CDs of all costume-related events for our permanent collection.

I have videotapes/DVDs of costume events (i.e. masquerades, costume parades, etc.), but I don’t have a way to copy them.  Can you do it?
Yes!  For each item you loan to us, we will make copies for the Library and can return your originals with a DVD for your own collection.  Same for photographs.

I have images from X costume event. Do you already have them?  Do you have a list of what is contained in the Library?
We are always interested in additional photos from the same event, etc., even if we may already have some records in the Library. You might have a better picture of a particular costume, or information on the wearer, that we may not currently possess. Please contact the Archivists (icg-archivist@costume.org ) with your information.

Do you purchase pictures?
Rarely, our budget is limited.  Please contact the Archivists.

I love what you’re doing! Can I donate money to maintain the Library and help it grow?
Absolutely! The ICG is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization, so donations are tax deductible. You can specify that your donation should go to the The Pat and Peggy Kennedy Archive and Photo Gallery Fund through the ICG donations page  (https://costume.org/wp/about-the-international-costumers-guild/donation-page/).

What if I have a correction about info on a photo?
We always welcome corrections and additional information sent to the Archivists (icg-archivist@costume.org).

Are these costumes for sale or rent?
We do not have that information, but most likely, no. This is strictly a site for the appreciation of the making, and the makers of, costumes.

How can I contact someone in a photo about how they made their costume?
We do not have that information. You might try an Internet search on their name to see if they have a website. You can also check out the links on the ICG website main page for mailing lists, and other resources.

What if I have a question not answered here?
Please send your questions to the Archivists.  If the answers would benefit many visitors, we’ll add them to the list.

Contact:
icg-archivist@costume.org