(Above) Characters from the PBS television series Downton Abbey, including Lady Edith, portrayed by actress Laura Carmichael. Photo by Nick Briggs. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

December 3, 2015 – Come for the traditional English tea service, stay for the exhibit of Downtown Abbey costumes. A series of events have been announced by River North’s Richard H. Driehaus Museum to complement its three-month exhibit early next year of costumes from the British television series.

Downton Abbey is the name of the country estate in the series, owned by the fictional Crawley family. After six seasons, the final episode will air in the United States on March 6.

(Left) Black coat with English Arts and Crafts embroidery, burgundy coat, and blue/green suit and hat, made by Cosprop Ltd., and worn by the fictional Crawley sisters on Downton Abbey.

More than 35 period costumes from the series, set between 1912 and 1925, will be on display at the museum from February 9 through May 8. The costumes are made in London, recreated from old photographs and paintings, and many use fabric from the early 20th century.

The events, coinciding with the exhibit, Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times, will include…

The 1926 Buster Keaton silent film, The General, shown at the museum on February 27.

Carol Wallace (right), says the museum, will recount “tales of formal courtships, lavish soirees, extravagant fashion and jewels, and scandalous affairs in the glamourous world of international high society.”

A Cole Porter Tribute on March 11 will be an evening of jazz, drinks, and hors d’oeuvres.

Chicago in the 1920s will be the topic on which Mary Morris (left), author of the Chicago-based novel, The Jazz Palace, will speak on April 2.

On April 7, set designer and Academy Award nominee Jude Farr will talk about her work over the past 30 years behind the scenes at Downton Abbey as well as the 2010 film, The King’s Speech.

On April 30, culinary historian, chef, and author Francine Segan (right) will discuss “The Art and Artifice of Dining,” including dinner etiquette, elaborate dishes, and elegant parties during the time of Downton Abbey.

The costumes will be displayed in the lavish interiors of the Driehaus Museum, built in 1883 by Chicago banker Samuel Nickerson at a cost of $450,000 or what today would be more than $10 million.