Columnist Susan Snyder: Celebrating 19th century in style

Monday, Nov. 24, 2003 | 8:28 a.m.

The biggest challenge for this New Year's Eve is the corset.

First, I have to find one.

Second, I have to wear it.

While the throng of thousands tosses its cookies on other people's shoes and watches fireworks on the Las Vegas Strip, about 60 Nevadans will be in Austin, partying like it's 1899.

"This is just fun for grownups," said Jan Morrison, who left Las Vegas to make her home in the old Nevada boomtown in July.

Morrison owns the historic Main Street Shops in downtown Austin, along with a house built in 1863 and St. Augustine's Catholic Church, which was among 10 Austin buildings added to the National Register of Historic Places this year.

Catholic officials stopped using the 1866 church decades ago. It has been locked up for years. Morrison intends to re-open it as a historic reception hall supported by a non-profit organization.

Her overall restoration plan emphasizes the church's history. Everything will be recreated as close to original as possible, down to the artwork on the magnificent pipe organ that was created in Europe and shipped around Cape Horn before being toted by wagon to Austin.

At midnight Dec. 31, the bell of the 137-year-old church will ring in 2004 and the church's future as a centerpiece of Austin activity once more. But not before some of us have endured a feast and ball while wearing corsets.

Morrison is conducting a New Year's Eve Victorian ball to celebrate Austin's 19th century affluence. The town's residents grew in wealth and number after silver was discovered in 1864. Boston oysters. Parisian fashions. They had it all and then some.

The invitation-only event starts with the ball at Main Street Shops. Just before midnight, attendees will hike up the hill to St. Augustine's to ring the bell and toast the new year.

The catch: Accepting the invitation means dressing in Victorian styles from 1860 to 1899.

For men, this means a trip to the local bridal shop to rent a tuxedo and top hat. Extensive Internet research shows men's formal fashions have changed little in 140 years. (As if it isn't frustrating enough that they need to own only two pairs of shoes.)

"But we have more fun," Morrison said of women.

Certainly -- as long as "fun" encompasses three layers of underwear that include whalebones lashed to one's rib cage. Still, Morrison says we girls can find most of what we need in thrift shops. Modern bridesmaids' gowns are a natural, and Morrison has a trunkful.

"I swear these brides hated their bridesmaids," she giggled in a phone conversation Friday. "I buy drapes, too. They're wonderful fabric. I have a set of drapes I'm making my dress from."

And you thought Scarlett O'Hara was all Hollywood.

"This is the fun part of it," she added.

Spoken like a woman who has never navigated a 20th century Porta-Potti in 19th century hoops. (A long story. Don't ask.)

After working out the kinks this year, Morrison plans to host the event as a public fund-raiser to support ongoing church historic renovations. The 19th century wealth that put Austin on the map may be its 21st century salvation.

Stay tuned. I'll give you a recap -- if I don't pass out from my underwear.