LBM2217
Title
Photograph of Andrew Muir
Brief description
Andrew Muir, an early Garden City settler, leans against a tree wearing the quintessential rational dress of smock and sandals.
Object name
photograph
Content description
Shows Andrew Muir leaning against a tree wearing a smock and sandals which was referred to as rational dress. When Letchworth was established as a Garden City in 1903, it attracted many free thinkers who lived the so-called 'simple life'. This often involved dressing liberally in smocks (as shown in this photograph), not eating meat or drinking alcohol, joining local societies and producing pageants and theatrical displays. This reflects Arts and Crafts ideologies of living a healthier lifestyle to improve people's sense of wellbeing.
Muir was also consultant architect for the Garden City in 1907.
Content person
Muir, Andrew
